Braves

By Stephen

July 26, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

Yes

By woogidy

July 26, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

BARRY - YOU SUCK! Din’t think you would hear that at the ballpark tonight, so I contribute.

By gobirds42

July 26, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

no way they both are here. but why not pull the trigger on the tex trade….then, if we are really tryin to win a world series in the next 2 years, trade escobar for roy oswalt. if u trade one for the now, why not both, i would love the look of the offense and the 3 aces, even if for only 3 years or so. and with smoltz and andruw leaving soon we wont miss them as much. i love the rookies, but they are just potential right now.

By ijonathan

July 26, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

Nice lineup tonight. Microscopic averages for 1B, 3B and CF. Add in the .150 average for Carlyle, and the Giants’ starting pitcher must be drooling.

By ijonathan

July 26, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

It never fails with BC…if he has a guy or two out of the lineup with injuries, he decides that’s the night he’ll go with the full-blown triple AAA lineup. With Chipper out tonight, might be a good night to start Salty at 1B…but no, Thorman it is.

By billyb

July 26, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

believe that song was written by Jim Webb. — billyb

By JasonInMaine

July 26, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Couldn’t Cox rest Renteria tomorrow? Shouldn’t he modify his plan? This lineup is not very good…

Regards,

Jason

By Matt Jones' Hair

July 26, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

DOB—Your honest oppinion…what would you say the percent chance is that we trade for Tex? I’m thinking 55-60%…

By David O'Brien

July 26, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this

Gobirds, for the 100th time, the Astros aren’t trading Oswalt. They never indicated they were. They aren’t.

By Yars

July 26, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

The question is, can the Braves win the NL East or sneak away with the NL Wildcard with a rotation of Smoltz, Hudson, James, Carlyle, & Jo Jo? It would be great if a trade for Tex were made. Andruw hasn’t given us much this season, Chipper is fragile, (now a groin) Thorman let everyone down, ect…. If a Tex trade isn’t made, we still got time to focus on the starting rotation. Nice play Kelly!

By Colin

July 26, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

We lost, Edgar, Chip not in the lineup, WoodCock and Thorman are in….

By Marcus Welby

July 26, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

I hate it when the games are on TBS because that means we have to listen to Bobby Cox babbling like the village idiot when the Braves are at bat. He seems to be especially hyper tonight. Goodbye volume, hello IPOD.

By Paladin

July 26, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy When you arrive. I never see French that I don’t think of the old story that British Officers(of old) wore red coats so that the sight of blood on them wouldn’t alarm their men. French Officers have worn brown trousers for much the same reasoning.

By Girth

July 26, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

For the love of GOD!! Stop talking about getting Oswalt!! Never gonna happen!! Please put the pipe down.

By Colin

July 26, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

DOB How close are we to landing TEX!!!!

By Jeff321

July 26, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Hmmm one of the Braves’ announcers said Bobby Cox thought Renteria needed a day off…one of the columns here said it was a scheduled day off. Which seem like two different things to me. Perhaps someone is trying to pull wool over my eyes? Anyway, the fact is Andruw Jones sucks and the Braves would be insane to resign him.

By Efrim

July 26, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Those balls Feliz and Molina hit are home runs in Atlanta. What a tough ballpark. You have to pull the ball to hit a home run.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

marcus you can watch the games online they are on fsn so u dont have to listen to bobby.

By Taylor

July 26, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

This doesn’t really relate to anything, Mr. O’Brian, but what is the deal with Tanyon Sturtze? I’ve read he’s close to returning, but how close, and how much do you think he would help our bullpen? Also are we still the frontrunners for the Teixiera deal?

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

Man, Francoeur just got waxed by Lincecum. Francouer is hopeless against a good fastball these days.

The Braves are not going to score against Lincecum in this game. They are going to end this series with 1 run against the Giants last two starters.

By Braves Fan 79 (shoulda traded vick for CJ)

July 26, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

Man DOB i hope your right about sandiego…but with their pitching i dont think there going anywhere. Man i really hate it when woodcrap starts…the offense is already weak enough without chipper in the lineup…we dont need the strikeout master in the game. And im talking about woodcrap, not nolan ryan.

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

From the last blog…..

Gil I saw that line on Davies, and Cormier has strung together some nice outings together.

I wonder how long it will be before we can take advantage of a rested arm up here. Problem with that scenario is that BC doesn’t like throwing youngsters into the fire. Not that I blame him too much, but sometimes a guys gotta sink or swim.

Lew All is well out in the intermountain west. Enjoying the TBS broadcasts this week!

DOB Can we try for Carl Crawford??? (just kidding…..)

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this

Hey, phillies didnt hammer one of those team you say they are supposed to hammer. Mets where also beaten by buccs.

What about this chipper injury¿? They always say is not serious and then he sits for a month.

What about that buddy……he is constant alright. James is also constant.

By Savannah Guy

July 26, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady Yes, my dear, and it is YOU! Missed ya.

Paladin Touché, as it were. Nice…like it. Hey, Patton had a pretty good zinger for those fellas too. Ironically, since you just called me out and by the way, you just happen to be in an upcoming “Daily Buzz” report. Wanna see it?

By Fred Secunda

July 26, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this

DOB, I’ve noticed a lot of people on this blog seem to have Willie Harris penciled in the lineup for next year. While I think there’s a possibility it could happen, I just don’t see Willie with the Braves next year unless it’s in a bench player capacity. When I think of Willie Harris, I think of Charles Thomas, and we all know he didn’t last more than a year. How realistic do you think it is that he’ll be here, given the emergence of Brandon Jones and other intangibles? I’ll hang up and listen.

By N8

July 26, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this

ANY word on Tex yet?

By Efrim

July 26, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

Wow. Kelly has to come through there. We need to capatilize against this kid. There won’t be many opportunities like that again.

By Mike

July 26, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

It has been a privlege to watch Andruw on TBS the last 11 years and it still is even though he has struggled offensively this year but for the best interest of the team its time to let him go. I like the idea of trading for texiera and signing him longterm. I also like the idea of trading renteria for an impact starter but not in the middle of the season, hes been oustanding and is too important to this team this year. Next year, in the offseason would be different though. Escobar would have a year of major league experience under his belt and would be ready to take over as an everyday shortstop and provide great defense and probably be a 300 gap hitter. This is just my opinion but I think the best potential lineup for the braves next year would be Brent Lillibridge, Escobar, Chipper, Texiera, Mccann, Francouer, Kelly Johnson, Brandon Jones. I would Have B. Jones and Francouer as the corner outfielders which would provide outstanding defense in left and right with very strong arms and Lillibridge in center. Yes, Lillibridge would be a downgrade defensively from Andruw but who wouldnt. Its been said that hes played that position before and also that he has an outstanding baseball IQ. At the very least he would cover a lot of ground with his speed and be a solid leadoff hitter with some power. I really like Willie Harris but I do think he is a one year wonder and the clcok will eventually strike midnight. Lillibridge would be the best option. And think about it the braves would be solid at every other position defensively and offensively. With Renteria and AJ potentially not there next year that would free up 19 or 20 million. That could get a garland or an oswalt type pitcher. Just my random thoughts. truth is no matter who the braves put out there im still going to think they are going to win the ws. Thats the purpose of being a fan

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this

I hate Bobby Cox games like this. How about resting Chipper and Renteria on different days?

We are walking a tightrope right now and throwing away an opportunity to pick up ground on the Mets. Once again, Willie Randolph must be sitting back and laughing…”hey, we blew one against the Pirates today, but no big deal, the Braves are starting Woodward at thrid base tonight”.

By N8

July 26, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

How bout’ now?

By Colin

July 26, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

DOB How close are we to landing TEX!!!!

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this

At this rate, Barroid will break the record in September…….of 2008.

By heath

July 26, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

lost in all this trade talk is how good buddy has pitched. the guy gets the ball and delivers right to the catcher…no wondering around, just deals, baby. if i could just “thank you, buddy” and keep up the good work.

By Caleb

July 26, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

With Utley being out for at least a month and the phillies lack of pitching, I think the phillies are going to fall away and it’s going to be between the Braves and mets the rest of the way.

By bravesfan

July 26, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB what is the latest you have heard on the rumors?

By Paladin

July 26, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy Call you out? Not that I was aware. Just being “neighborly”, I thought. But, if you want to take offense, bring it on!

By N8

July 26, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

Perfectly excecuted relay by Frenchy and KJ.

Pssst. DOB. What’s the word on Tex?

By Colin

July 26, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

MIKE

Nicely put, i may groan and moan but they know what is best so ill live with it, and yes they will win the WS.

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

WTG KJ

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this

Funny, N8. What does B9 think about this Tex trade?

Good thing the Braves threw Roberts out at the plate right there, or else this game was OVER. Even the Giants know it…they are playing for one run.

By N8

July 26, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this

DOB

Come on man, don’t leave us hanging.

Is Salty still in the dugout? You haven’t seen Bobby go talk to him right before he grabbed his stuff and headed up the tunnel did you?

I mean, that would mean that he JUST got traded, and he has to leave the bench. Right?…Right?

How about now?

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this

barves davE what team have u been watching all year? i dont understand how could u be surprised. You mentioned the right name…….bobby cox. Dont expect reasonable decision out of him.

What was roberts thinking about? Havent he heard of jeffs arms? Listen to scout old man.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO braves!!!!!!!!!!

By N8

July 26, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

DOB

Do you know what INNING the trade for Tex might go down? I have some running to go do, and I don’t wanna miss it.

Please tell.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

Way to go Jeff. IRON MAN!!!!!!!!

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

Leadoff bloop double by Andruw….and what happens……McCann swings at the first pitch and pops it up.

Funny…then Francouer hits a HR on a hanging breaking ball and Joe Simpson says “Francouer has always been able to turn around a fastball”. Humorous. Nice job by Frenchy, though. I didn’t think the Braves would score against this guy.

By jbutler

July 26, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

DOB….Public Enemy…great song!! I actually saw Flavor Flav walking around New Orleans back in the day. The clock alone must’ve added 50 pounds to his wiry body. Kick in the pants.

By Savannah Guy

July 26, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

Paladin No no no…call out in a good, respectable and entertaining way. I liked it. Really. Now, you ready for Daily Buzz? It’s almost done…you’ll like it I hope…

By Midnight Earl

July 26, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Not questioning your interviewing skills at all, but you ended the interview without a follow-up question to Andruw about staying in Atlanta? Maybe you stopped the tape prematurely. Press play again…there has to be something on there like “You say you want to stay in Atlanta forever but are you willing to take what they offer you?” or “Will your salary demands price you out of the Atlanta market?”.

Just saying..you had him on the hook and you let him go? I say no way.

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

I am not surprised, Overlord, just disgusted.

By bravesfan

July 26, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

Good hit Jeff GO BRAVES!!

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this

we can put this games almost in our pocket if small ball is well executed.

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this

Did anyone else notice that even Jeff couldn’t believe that he actually hit a HR? He almost knocked himself over high-fiving Andruw when he crossed home plate.

By AMG

July 26, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

Someone tell Francouer not to hurt anyone with those forearms.

By Savannah Guy

July 26, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

The Daily Buzz (Fly on Wall Report No. 004)

(Reporting from the blog server-room deep inside the bowels of AJC headquarters)

A recap of the some blog conversations earlier today…

Paladin: Goood Mooorniinng Viet namm!!!! I gotta poop.

Bob, J: This molehill really could be a mountain methinks. It just depends on your perspective. Are you an ant? A mole? A flea?

Ogden Nash: A flea poem? Ok…Adam had’em.

Some Blogger: Braves need pitching.

Shaun: Pitching? No…stat, stat, we just need hitting…

Some Blogger: Well Shaun…there you go again…

Shaun: My opinion is statistical 99.9% of the time.

Some Blogger: See? TStats lie sometimes!!!

Bob, J: I have to get a fax now. I’ll be back soon.

Paladin: Hey, I’m back from the dumper. What’s up?

TampaBrave: I’ll argue because Jimbo, my alter ego…er, evil twin tells me to. It’s a fight club.

Some Blogger: Braves need hitting.

Shaun: My new stats say we don’t need hitting…

Paladin: I have to poop again.

Bob, J: I’m going to take a nap now.

By Paladin

July 26, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

OK, Savannah Guy, I misunderstood. And as I have tried to communicate on here, I don’t mind some “good-natured” fun being poked at me. I like it. Keeps me sharp. And you, are quite good at it; and I mean that as a compliment.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this

buddy has allowed a total of 7 runs in his last 5 starts……… I wonder if thats good enough for a #4 starter.

James has allowed more than 3 runs only twice in his last 12 starts………how about that for consistency? IS that enough for #3 starter?

By N8

July 26, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this

Man alive! I though Thorman swung like a mad-man.

I had totally forgotten until this series how much of a hacker Klesko is.

Unreal.

I just thought of a couple of guys we could go after. Adam Dunn and Richie Sexon. Then we could platoon them at 1B. Total Hack-n-Jack guys.

They’d fit right in. Then again, if we could get both of them in the lineup at the same time, that would be “something”.

Imagine all the contact that the trio of Dunn, Sexon and AJ would make.

Turner Field wouldn’t need any air-conditioning, I can tell you that.

By Paladin

July 26, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy Funny! And, as a matter of fact, I have to poop. And then, to bed. Nite all.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this

Well dave get used to it or youll get a heart attack, its not worth it. Lets just hope the team can overcome been managed by BC.

By A-ville Ranger

July 26, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

That era for july surprises me,not bad at all.The question of whether we can afford Andruw and Tex is irrelevant.I don’t think JS has any intention of re-signing Jones.My problem with the deal is Bor-a$$,the thought of dancing for that a-hole is nauseating.

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to see Andruw in this lineup for another 5-6 years.Spend that $$$ elsewhere.

By Gil In Mechanicsville

July 26, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

Wayne Dan Smith pitched 4 innings gave up 2 hits, no runs 4 strike outs and one walk. On a pitch count. Brian Pena is not in the line up tonight.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

what a bad defensive play but scott…. rookie mistake.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

game tied, this innings was prolonged by mistake, not buddys fault

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 8:30 PM | Link to this

Jeez.Who didn’t see that game tying double from a mile away.A mistake with runners on 2nd and 3rd.Just another example of why this is a .500 ball club.Can’t make quality pitches when they need to,can’t get the clutch hit,or they can’t make the plays in the field when they need to.@#$%….Giants lead.

By Colin

July 26, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this

Come on Buddy what are you doing!!!

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this

we are behind thanks to scott, i wonder why is he in a game in which our offensive people is on the bench?

By N8

July 26, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this

While Buddy’s start has kept us in the game, he clearly is not as sharp as he’s been. EVERYTHING that misses, is missing over the plate.

Bonds had a pitch to hammer to left field there and tried to pull it. Nice to see him pressing, isn’t it?

I don’t know whether to say nice job Buddy or nice job Barry, for getting himself out.

How about a collective, “nice job guys”?

By keylargo25

July 26, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

I’m really surprised that all of you guys who think it is no problem to switch positions at the MLB level aren’t on BC for not starting Salty at 3B tonight. You guys moan and groan about Thorman hitting under .220 - what do you think Woodward is hitting? I’ve got news for you. Changing positions at this level is far more complicated and demanding than it was in High School.

By Efrim

July 26, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

Awful. Thorman was lost. The freekin Giants can get clutch two out hits, but we can’t?

A damn shame.

By scott

July 26, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this

Well, I guess the Braves have completely given up on Salty at first. It’s a damn shame that they are going to give up on this guy. He’s going to hit a ton in Dallas if he’s traded to the Rangers.

By Jeff321

July 26, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

Brian McCann looked like he was wobbling on that double.. is he playing injured?

By bravesfan

July 26, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

FROM MLB.COM

The Red Sox and Dodgers are apparently no longer suitors for first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Teixeira trade watch continues in Texas Angels, Braves now leading teams interested in first baseman

ARLINGTON — Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira could go to the Atlanta Braves or the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Or he could just stay in Texas. Reliever Akinori Otsuka, who has also been coveted by other teams, is only going to Los Angeles — and that’s only to get a second opinion on his sore right forearm/elbow.

Teixeira is at the top of the list and Major League sources said the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Atlanta Braves are both pushing hard to acquire him. Both will give up a first baseman: either Casey Kotchman from the Angels or Jarrod Saltalamacchia from the Braves. A source said both teams have made strong offers.

The Braves also need relief pitching and are interested in Eric Gagne, who could replace Bob Wickman as their closer. Wickman is 2-2 with a 4.33 ERA with 17 saves in 22 opportunities.

Gagne continues to draw interest from teams, both as a closer and possible setup reliever. Gagne has made it clear that he wants to remain a closer.

The Braves also need left-handed relief. The Rangers aren’t willing to trade C.J. Wilson but could include Ron Mahay. The Rangers want young pitching in return and the Braves’ best prospects are two left-handers: Jo-Jo Reyes and Matt Harrison. Right-handers Joey Devine, Kyle Davies and Manny Acosta are also possible.

By David O'Brien

July 26, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this

I think this is Barry’s passive-aggressive way to get back at all the media outlets — make this chase last a month or two, soak the newspapers for thousands upon thousands of bucks in hotel-room charges and other travel expenses while a couple hundred writers follow this circus from town to town….

That, or he kinda stinks right now.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

We cant keep putting thorman at 1b, he is just mlb caliber.

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

Every mistake that this team makes seems to be magnified. Errors always seem to come home to roost lately. That little mix-up at first base is going to end up costing the Braves this game.

Not a real stellar effort by McCann getting to that wild pitch, either.

By Savannah Guy

July 26, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady: Almost forgot…I was only communicating in the same language as to connect with an esteemed frenchman that had earlier opined in same language. But for you dear…anything. But be honest now, didn’t you even get a little tiny goose bump? Go ahead now girl…fess up.

By N8

July 26, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this

keylargo25

“I’m really surprised that all of you guys who think it is no problem to switch positions at the MLB level aren’t on BC for not starting Salty at 3B tonight.”

Good point. Hey Bobby! Why doesn’t your stupid a$$ put Salty at 3rd base? It’s not like it’s any harder than switching positions in High School, right?

“”You guys moan and groan about Thorman hitting under .220 - what do you think Woodward is hitting?”

Are you new to the blog? There has been some WHOLE DAYS that were dedicated by many if not most, if not ALL blogger clamoring for Woodward to be shot….er…released.

“I’ve got news for you. Changing positions at this level is far more complicated and demanding than it was in High School.”

Oh. Well disregard my last line of the first comment. I had NO IDEA! Sorry.

By Efrim

July 26, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

The Giants will get Klesko home after that leadoff double.

By JasonInMaine

July 26, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

1st and 2nd with one out and the pitcher up…

Bobby has yhe pitcher swing away into a DP…

Bochy has his pitcher bunt them over for the leadoff guy. Result? The leadoff guy gets a tying double, prolongs the inning, and scores himself.

There is no reason to have Buddy swing away against this guy. I just don’t understand sometimes…again, I guess it’s a good thing - am not in baseball as I am not smart enough to figure out these moves…

Regards,

Jason

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

Why did BC gave up this game before it was played?

Thorman left tying run at 2b, thats unfair to fans. Give us a break, this guy is not ready to play for a team that says publicly that is trying to get to the postseason.

Mistake after mistake today. If not for 1 swing from jeff this game would be looking sooooooooooooo awful. BC should invite jeff a dinner as he is softening some of the crap he has invented for todays game.

By David O'Brien

July 26, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

I’m going to have to go back and count how many times the Braves have gotten a double with less than two outs and failed to scored. Time after time after time….

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

Barry kinda stinks right now…just like this Braves team. It is really amazing that they have been playing .500 ball since that 7-1 start. After this loss tonight, they will under .500 since that 7-1 start. But they don’t need Mark Teixeira.

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

Davies would be a good fit in Tejas,considering he’s a poor man’s Kevin Millwood.They can be team-mates.

By Efrim

July 26, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

2 outs with Vizquel up……

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

Good thing bobby cox is does not lives in ancient times, he would have been executed already in ancient rome.

By Efrim

July 26, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

Clutch hit from Vizquel….

Can’t say I am suprised.

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this

That…ladies and gentlemen….is your ballgame.

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

Great point about Bochy bunting Lincecum, Jason. But since Buddy Carlyles’s average is only marginally worse than Andruw’s, Woodward’s, and Thorman’s, Bobby probably thought that he had one of his best hitters up in that spot, so no need to sacrafice.

By N8

July 26, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

DOB (or everybody else, for that matter)

When I first joined the blog (June of 2006), Robert was the ONLY person complaining about Bobby. Occasionally, I’d agree with him, but have never ragged on him to Robert’s extent.

With every passing week, actually with every passing GAME, more and more bloggers (some new…some guys that have been blogging since I have), are turning on him.

I know it’s not 50/50 yet as far as Bobby lovers vs. Bobby haters. But more and more, we are starting to see posts by LONGTIME Bobby supporters, start their post off with the following:

“I’m not normally a Bobby basher, but…..”, followed by their rant for the day.

I really think he’s losing it. His mind and his fan support.

Am I imagining this trend DOB, or not?

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

I think the braves are the best team in MLB, they have managed to stay above .500 even though they play every game against an MLB team and against their own manager… that is worth of an applause, I tip my hat to this team.

By Colin

July 26, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

ITS OVER ITS OVER ITS OVER!!!!!!

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

Gil Did you check to see if there was a B Pena on the United flight to SF tonight?

That would be a sign.

Are they getting Lillibridge any time in centerfield?

Our future CF is about 2-3 years away, playing now in Myrtle Beach… Jordan Schafer. Big time defensive player with some pop.

By Eric C.

July 26, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

Definitely the difference between a .500 team and a championship team…that 3-run play by Buddy and Scott says it all. Buddy should have run to the bag…and Scott should have been charging…what a joke.

By This Gets Old

July 26, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

All you guys so eager to let ‘Druw go..are you ready to see all of those balls fall in for hits in CF? You think we have some long innings now, just wait.

By JasonInMaine

July 26, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

Wow, this is going to be a tough loss and one that wasn’t necessary. Questionable decisions before the game even started and more has followed.

Now to top it all off, we may not make a significant move. The one person that I have been in touch with says the Angels have significantly increased their offer and appear to now be the leader…

Regards,

Jason

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

*”1st and 2nd with one out and the pitcher up…

Bobby has the pitcher swing away into a DP…”*

Jason What are you expecting from Bobby after 17 years….strategy?LOL.

By Superman

July 26, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this

whats with the old guys from the retirment home getting infield hits???

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

This is going to turn out to be an impressive 4-game set for the Braves. A 2-2 split with the tough as nails, geriatric Giants. And one win came in 13 innings.

Playoffs, here we come. Feets don’t fail us now.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

DOB you cant go and do that, only if you are planning on leaving us with the same blog for 2 or 3 days…….

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

why is woodcrap batting if we are losing in the 7th?

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

Hey Shaun another quality starter thrown at the Braves,and it looks like another loss with only 2 runs scored.But,hey….we’re averaging 4 runs a game.We’re going to be fine.

By Colin

July 26, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

NO TEX NO WINING ENOUGH SAID

By Gil In Mechanicsville

July 26, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

I would think that Texas would be reluctant to trade with the Angles for the same reason the Braves would not want to help the Phillies or the Mets. Same devision, however, money talks….

What do you think we could get from the Phillies for Prado? Ryan Howard? :-)))

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

Wow, I am really excited right now. After watching Julio Franco hit a deep fly ball to center field last night (for an out) and Chris Woodward hit a deep fly ball to left tonight (for an out), I think team may be turning the corner. Forget Teixeira. Who needs him with the talent we have just sitting on the pine?? These guys are power hitters who just need some consistent at-bats to turn it around. Maybe St. Louis would take Woodward and Franco for Pujols. Imagine what those two could do in the new Busch Stadium?? Scary.

I love this lineup.

By N8

July 26, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

This Gets Old

“All you guys so eager to let ‘Druw go..are you ready to see all of those balls fall in for hits in CF? You think we have some long innings now, just wait.”

The innings may be a little longer when we’re in the field, but at the same time, when we’re batting, they will be prolonged as well.

Andruw doesn’t save us 100 runs per year anymore out in the field. Half of that if he’s lucky. If he were any good at the plate (with how much the 1-3 hitters have been on ahead of him), he’d have around 90 RBI right now. Not to mention the runs HE would be scoring, when the guys behind him (McCann and Francoeur) get hits leading off innings.

So I’d say that at least THIS YEAR, he has finally cost us as many runs with his bat, as he’s saved us with his glove.

If you think having him and his pathetic approach at the plate hasn’t cost us AT LEAST 50-75 runs this year, when he’s in the cleanup spot, you’re fooling yourself and nobody else.

By JasonInMaine

July 26, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

Good point BravesDave!

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

It is sad to watch this team losing because front office believes cox is a good manager.
Dont they have scouts for manager also?

LEts get real, this guy is as dumb as you could find them.

By Colin

July 26, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

I hear the Angels of New York, Pa, Boston, Florida of Anahiem are looking at being a close run to get TEX way to go JS for not pulling the TRIGGER sooner

By Carolina Lady

July 26, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

Hey, Savannah! Um, sorry - not a one. (My experiences in French class were not good ones. The Prof was in her 80s, had dementia, couldn’t remember correct pronunciations from one day to the next and changed them constantly; not a good way to learn a language!) But thank you very, very much! :-) The ‘foreign language experiment’ was getting totally out of hand with a lot of ‘just showing off’ by some - and it contributed nothing to the blog.

Tempest in a blogpot: If the trade is/isn’t settled soon, some on here are going to wind up in Intensive Care at Bellevue!

By Colin

July 26, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

* Way to go BUMDRUW*

By N8

July 26, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

Yeah, that Andruw defense, is spectacular, isn’t it?

Nice job of backing him up Harris.

By Jeff321

July 26, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

All you guys so eager to let ‘Druw go..are you ready to see all of those balls fall in for hits in CF? You think we have some long innings now, just wait.

Andruw might be good at defense.. HA! Just as I type this the ball goes rolling by him… Anyway, I haven’t seen much discussion about his throwing! Hasn’t anyone else noticed he can’t throw anyone out?

By Eric C.

July 26, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

WTF was that? 8 yrs ago…A.J. gets a better jump, lays out and catches that liner from Bonds for a spectacular play. Instead…it was a bumbling play.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

wasnt andrew the best CF ever? How come bonds is at second after he hits a little flair to CF¿? i think i saw AJ making a fielding mistake even worst than thormans.

I feel sick.

By MEB

July 26, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Reading the blog during a game in which the Braves are losing is absolutely disgusting. I’ve learned my lesson and won’t do it anymore. Do guys actually enjoying being so negative?

GO BRAVES!!!

By N8

July 26, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

Anybody else notice how quietly and basically unannounced, that Oscar has been moved into one of the setup roles, in the last week or so.

Maybe it has much more to do with the starters all getting out of the 3rd inning, and Bobby wanting to get him work. But he’s seen a few 1 inning outings from the 7th inning or later, recently.

By Gil In Mechanicsville

July 26, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

I doubt Homeboy is the one holding up a trade. I think the seller (Texas) is holding out to drive up the price.

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

Hey Carolina Lady, I think some of us are blogging from Bellvue already…specifically, those nameless bloggers who were touting our ‘consistent offense’ this morning and afternoon.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Phillies got a hard blow, Utley to DL with broken hand.

Bye Bye phillies.

By brent a.

July 26, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Why in the world does Bobby Cox sit Edgar in a game where Chipper is having to sit due to injury?

Boo!

By Colin

July 26, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Well we got one on time to choke…uggghhhhugghhh o im sorry im busy choking instead of getting a hit.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

July 26, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

Is there really anyone here who doesn’t seriously see how we need another dependable power bat?

By jeffery

July 26, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

Hey JasonInMaine,

The person you’ve been in touch with is just toying with you. He knows you are a Braves fan. My sources have been doing the same to me. As I have read and been told, the Braves are still in front but Texas wants to squeeze a little more but we are still very close. The Angels have almost everything we have except the left handed pitching we have. We dont want to give up Jo Jo because he is a 93+ left handed starting pitcher. During this run we havent had someone like him. Glavine, Avery, Neagle and Hampton are change of speed pitchers, not a power pitcher. So just sit tight. I believe we are going to get him. The info has been way too public with this Teixeira chase, something like we have never really seen and he also knows this team is not a serious playoff threat with the glaring weakness at 1B and in the pen.

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

“With every passing week, actually with every passing GAME, more and more bloggers (some new…some guys that have been blogging since I have), are turning on him.”

N8 I’ve never like Cox myself.There is no way you can justify only one ws with 14 playoff appearances.Had this occured in NY,Bobby would have been shown the door in ‘98 after we lost to San Diego(the year Schuerholz dismissed 2 of his asst coaches and demoted Bobby Dews).I’ve given him credit in the past when he’s deserved it.The year we lost Galarraga (for the entire yr with cancer)and Javy for half a season,2005 was one of his biggest achievements,as the Braves overachieved big time with a bunch of kids to win the weak NL East.

But,this year has been his worst as a manager.He has burned his late inning guys in the pen in games they were not needed.Now they are worn out heading down the stretch.Andruw at clean up all year….enough said.It took him 6 weeks to bat Willie lead off(when he was on fire),stubbornly sticking with Wickman despite his terrible road struggles.Not to mention the usual things we’ve seen with Cox teams for 17 years…failure to move runners,swinging at first pitches against pitchers we’ve never seen,horrible base running,and failed bunts.In short,poor fundamentals.

By Colin

July 26, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

THANK YOU ROBERT WE SUCK AT HITTING

By jeffrey

July 26, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

We gotta do this deal. AJ struck out again!!! Put Teix 4th and AJ 5th

By Eric C.

July 26, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

Andruw follows up his excellent defensive play with a wonderful swing for another strikeout…yeah, let’s give this guy 20 million a year.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

I cant believe it, AJ KKKKK for only the 10th time this season…….

yeah right!!!!!!!!

Is brian sick or something? why didnt he tried to turn that into double?

Is there fire missing on this guys?

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

It has gotten so bad for Andruw that Chip Caray and Joe Simpson are now getting excited when he hits a foul ball.

Was McCann crawling on the hit into the Braves bullpen???? How the heck was that not a double?? Funny also that Bobby has no problem pitch-running for McCann and leaving the Braves with one catcher, but yet Salty and McCann are not allowed to pinch hit late in games. More Cox brilliance.

By Braves Fan 79 (shoulda traded vick for CJ)

July 26, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

BOBBY PLAY YOUR BEST LINEUP!! dadgum it dosent cox know that weve lost at least 70% of games started by woodcrap this year!?? Last night was bad enough when he pitchit woodcrap with harris and mccan on the bench in the 7th. And now this. I think John Scherultz should just cut woodcrap just like he should of made the decision on redmen earlier….because its obvious Bobby cant tell whos hot or cold, or who can hit or not hit anymore. This sucks….this team deserves better. I know Smoltz has gotta question some of the moves that have been made lately. The Braves better take advantage of still having a very good chipper and smoltz cause after there gone our chances in the playoffs will be slim. OUR BEST CHANCE TO WIN A RING IN THE NEXT 10 years will be over the next 3 seasons while we still have Smoltz…who can DOMINATE the postseason!

By Savannah Guy

July 26, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this

I will try not to criticize or second-guess Bobby tonight. He was just trying to rest Huddy by putting Wickman in the other night. Wickman was due to be strong with RISP. He has not played Salty at first because…uh, get some AB’s for Julio. He is not starting Diaz…uh, rest. He is only resting Chipper and Renteria on the same night because…well there must be a really good reason. He is only playing Woodward and Thorman tonight because…hmmm, well he knows what he is doing. He is only having Buddy swing away because…Oh, I know…he wants to give the Giants a sporting chance. Yea, that’s right. Must be it.

We have the Mets right where we want’em…in front. Hey, I’m sure Bobby’s strateegeree here is, if the Mets think we are getting too close they will start playing better. We will sneak up on them later in the year. Maybe in late April of ‘08. Yea…now I see. It’s all there…in that 1956 playbook. Makes sense now. I will not…I will try not…I will try…I will…ahh hell withit…kick that Bobby Cox upstairs before it’s too late and he embarrasses himself further. Ahhhh.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

chuck james is pinch running…….i wonder what happens if he needs to slide on a base and gets hurts.

By N8

July 26, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this

Overlord

“Phillies got a hard blow, Utley to DL with broken hand. Bye Bye phillies.”

Why? Is Julio Franco their next best option? Didn’t think so.

You’re probably right, but you get my point.

MEB

In all fairness, the complaining began BEFORE this game ever started, due to the horsesh!t lineup. Hard not to complain, when Chipper AND Renteria are both out of the lineup. LEAVING 2 of the best three hitters out of the lineup, meaning that Andruw has that much LESS of a chance of driving in runs, without them ahead of him.

How about Bobby change his “scheduled” day off for Renteria, once Chipper is declared out of the lineup? And have Escobar play 3B? Then in “1 or 2 games” when Chipper comes back, give Renteria a day or two off.

Makes to much sense for Bobby to ever think of it.

Leadoff hit goes to waste AGAIN.

Hey JS, MAKE THE FRICKIN MOVE!!!!!!!

By Carolina Lady

July 26, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

BravesDave, I wouldn’t at all be surprised to learn of some resident-bloggers! Several names come to mind immediately! :-)))

By Chip Caray hater

July 26, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

I think I figured it out. Savannah Guy is actually Chip Caray posting between innings.

Same pitiful attempts at humour. Same inflated sense of self-importance. Same long-winded diatribes of nonsense.

Yep, not only can Chip bore you to tears on audio, you can double-dip here on the MIB blog.

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this

I remember the other night, some clown was talking about how much better the Braves bullpen was than the Giants bullpen. I pointed out that the Giants bullpen was actually statistically a darn good bullpen. They have been looking pretty good lately.

By journalist jimmy smith

July 26, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

if tex were here tonight, it would be woodward and tex on the corners, hoss on the bench.

and, andruw looks to no one in particular to help with andruw’s pathetic swing? fire tp if tp serves no purpose on this team. bring in brian jordan for presence. andruw seems immature. imagine that on a baseball team!

now, will jeff porter be called on to relieve chipper’s groin? and what will jeff porter do? wwjpd? poultice! that is the answer. poultice. applied with a long-handled brush from another room.

and, what an impressive lineup tonight from bobbycox!

By P-Town Brave

July 26, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

MAKE THE MOVE AND GET TEX!

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

Why is Soriano pitching the 8th if we are losing by 2 runs?

What is he setting up? the offense? I though “setup man” meant “a pitcher that setup up a win for the closer”

I have never seen a manager doing so many bad moves. This is too much……Is Cox mad at someone? maybe at braves fans? mad at JS? mad at life?

BTW KJ has no range.

By Tired of Current Braves

July 26, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

FIRE BOBBY COX!!!!! He is old and does not know how to lead the Braves to beat up teams we should be winning against. Swept by the Reds? Split with the Giants? Cmon!! This 2007 team is too good to be playing so up and down the way they do. Bring in a new manager and get rid of the good ol boy situation going on with the Braves.

By P-Town Brave

July 26, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

MAKE THE MOVE AND GET TEX!

By brian

July 26, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

I would much rather spend $15 million per year on Teixeira than Andruw Jones especially for a 5 year period. We will probably see Andruw Jones’s gradual slide continue through the years. I will take the younger, better hitting, and also a gold glove fielder anyday. Let’s see if JS can work his magic and keep Harrison, Andrus and Reyes Braves. If he can get by with Salty plus other prospects not named above, and also get the reliever all the power to him

By Stuart

July 26, 2007 9:30 PM | Link to this

Looks like the usual. Two stpes forward and then two steps back.

By P-Town Brave

July 26, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

MAKE THE MOVE AND GET TEX!

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

What a comforting feeling for a Mets fan watching this game. A Mets fan really cannot feel threatened by this team. Bobby sat his best hitter tonight when he had a chance to gain ground on the Mets. I am speaking of course of Julio Franco. How can he write a lineup card without Julio???

By JasonInMaine

July 26, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

Is it just me or has it been a while since we hit a late inning 3-run homer to win a game…

Well, Salty is in, so…

By P-Town Brave

July 26, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

MAKE THE MOVE AND GET TEX!

By Stuart

July 26, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

Does anyone else feel like the guy in kayiak they just showed on TBS? This is just ridiculus how poor fundamentally this team is.

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah,one more thing.Seldom if ever taking the extra base.That irks me more than anything,and is one of the leading reasons it takes 3 singles for the Braves to score a freakin’ run.That’s why we usually don’t win unless we get a couple homers in a game.

By Braves Fan 79 (shoulda traded vick for CJ)

July 26, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

I think we should use 3 pitchitters here in the 9th. Thorman dosent inspire much confidence leading off….and everyone knows woodcrap is a automatic out.

By AMG

July 26, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

The only good thing about this game is it will be over by 10 pm. I’m tired from walking around and screaming at the television at 2:00 am during the 13 inning game.

If JS could make the move for TEX today, I believe he would. I would not expect anything to happen before Sunday. The Rangers are probably holding out to get everything they can from the Braves … or Angels.

By N8

July 26, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

Hey, when they broke away to that Arod AB, it reminded me of something.

This morning I was listening to Mike and Mike on ESPN (Tim Kurkjian was filling in for Golic).

They were talking about a weird stat with Arod’s 499 HR last night. They said that because of a suspended game (from June 28) that will be finished coming up soon), with Arod due to get 1 more AB in that game, that if he hits a HR in that suspended game, the stats will go retro to June 28th, making the HR he hit last night the 500th of his career.

How weird would that be?

Another story from Kurkjian from a while back (right around the time that Hudson threw at Soriano). I don’t remember the players names, but I think it was in the 50’s or the 60’s. He was talking about how much the game has changed with the brush back pitch (or lack there of), and how long the bad blood used to fester.

As the story goes, a relief pitcher for the Dodgers hits a guy (another pitcher) late in the season. Nothing came of it later in the series. In fact 2 years passed without anything ever being done in retaliation. Then 3 years later, the guy who hit the other pitcher came to the Dodgers, so they now were teamates. In spring training, doing bunting drills, the pitcher who had gotten hit, DRILLED the guy in the middle of the back with a fastball. When asked what the hell that was for, the pitcher told him from when and for what. The pitcher that was batting just shrugged and said, I guess we’re even now, let’s move on.

I know if I could remember the names it would be a funnier story. So if anybody knows who this was, let me know.

Either way…GREAT baseball story, IMO.

By The Truth Hurts

July 26, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

Is there a more depressing feeling than needing two with Thorman and Woodward leading off the 9th?

By Lew

July 26, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

DOB-Did Andruw give any indication he might review those tapes and make adjustments before the season ends?

By chrisklob

July 26, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

N8, since you opened this up to the floor, I’ll weigh in with my opinion regarding the seemingly waining support for BC.

I’ve been reading this blog since the winter sometime and posting infrequently since the spring. It’s been interesting to watch BC’s support erode over that time. I attribute it mostly to a couple of bloggers (who, by necessity, shall remain nameless) who have continually hammered home their feelings regarding him. It’s kind of like advertising. If it’s a reasonably believable message that can be supported by “fact” or anecdote and you’re exposed to it, oh say, a thousand times a day eventually you’re going to start to believe it. Sooner or later, you have “new customers” talking about whatever they’ve just “bought”.

BC has been making the same decisions forever now. In my opinion, he still makes the same mistakes and the same good decisions that he’s been making since 1991. The only thing that’s changed is that we have a forum where we can offer our up-to-the-minute opinions on whatever he’s done (or anyone else for that matter).

Let’s face it. Anytime he takes a chance on something that fails, he gets crucified on here. Every single decision he makes that doesn’t give the desired result he gets crucified for also.

Just a week or so ago he pulled Chuck James after pitching six strong innings. Now, anyone who follows this team with any regularity knows that Chuckie rarely goes longer than six, or about 100 pitches. In fact, BC has been crucified time and time again for leaving him in too long. So, what happens when BC pulls him when he’s at his threshold? Yep, crucified once again. The man can’t pick his nose without someone telling him that he’s done it the wrong way.

I look at it like this: Bobby Cox is considered to be one of the finest managers in the game by his peers, players and writers all over the country. Don’t you think that those people, who actually know BC and truly know the game have a better feel for him than a bunch of idiot bloggers?

This blog has become barely readable the last few months with all the second-guessing, the ridiculous arguments, the trolls and the jackals. Seriously, how many times do people have to be told that AJ can’t be traded? The past couple of days my favorite line has been “Salty for Tex. Come on JS, PULL THE TRIGGER!!! For what reason I don’t understand, DOB or AJC.com IT people or whoever won’t/can’t/don’t do anything about it. And while it may just be my perception, a lot of the regular bloggers seem to be spending a lot less time here, including you N8.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

why did thorman get an at bat if we are losing? what is franco for? arent renteria and chipper siting on the bench?

god !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By P-Town Brave

July 26, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

MAKE THE MOVE AND GET TEX!

By Savannah Guy

July 26, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

N8 True enough, although I have never cared for Cox (as the on-field manager, game manager) since he came with the Braves. In my humble opinion, his wacky moves, or lack of just common sense moves, have cost us at least two rings. Maybe three.

As I’ve said here on more than a few ocassions, he is a “clubhouse” manager, not a game manager. Players like him because he let’s them go. And, in player development, that’s good. Competing for a title or a pennant? Not good. Winning games you’re supposed to win (like tonight), not good.

Ok, I’m sure he’s a good ‘ol guy, I do poke him all the time here…just never cared at all for the nonsensical moves he makes every day. It’s gotten a lot worse. Lot’s of people (I for one) am beginning to wonder about his…health. Is he in the game? Is he proactive? Does he anticipate the moves of the other team? Does he play the hottest hand possible? My answer is no to all.

Not good. Just like this game.

By Gil In Mechanicsville

July 26, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this

LET THE BOO BIRDS CHIRP!!!! LOL :-))

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

July 26, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

JS needs to make a decision. Either the Braves make a run for the playoffs or they look ahead to next year. This team as currently constructed is not going to overtake the Mets. So, if it is about getting there this year, trade Salty. If not, keep him and just tell us fans that the orginization is looking ahead to next year.

And, by the way the way Andruw is playing this year is no different than usual. He is terrible with runners in scoring position. He has always been terrible. His defense is terrific but no way is he worth $18 or $20 mil a year over the next five or six years.

A season split with a Giants team that is horrible. I feel sick. I really do! No excuse for this. But, then again when I saw Thorman and Woodward in the lineup together I guess the loss was inevitable.

By N8

July 26, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

Swept by the Reds. Split with the Cardinals. Split with the Giants.

3 teams with a combined record of 133-168.

When do playoff tickets go on sale?

MAKE THE FRICKIN MOVE JS!!!!

By MadCrimeDog

July 26, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

You just get the feeling this isn’t going to happen. Now I have to hope that JS pulls the trigger; we can surely use Tex more than Andruw these days.

It just seems that last night was the night, if the trade was indeed going to happen.

That game made me sick.

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

DOB: Any after game announcements?

Brayan Pena was not in the starting lineup in Richmond tonight.

By JasonInMaine

July 26, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this

Did we really just lose 2 in a row to the Giants? I guess this negates the good play before the break. This is not the way the Braves needed to play after the break with such a weak schedule. Oh well, this team is what it is…

By Stuart

July 26, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Tex aint going to be enough to pull this team out of the crapper. This team is going to finish 83-79 because anytime they get higher than 7 over .500 they lose. They are exactly .500 since the 7-1 start. The rotation is below average. This rotation is not good enough to go more than one full turn at a time before they have a bad outing that ruins the pen. I am afraid Carlye’s market correction is coming. It may have started today. Unless they get an arm or two in addition to tex, this team aint worth fixing. If they only get an arm or two and no bat, they arent going anywhere either. It is a terribly frustrating team, because there are good players on this team, just not enough of them.

By Jared

July 26, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Saltalamacchia played. He ain’t leaving anytime soon.

Bobby Cox conceded this game the moment he wrote the lineup card.

By Gil In Mechanicsville

July 26, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

chrisklob Right on bro…..

By Eric C.

July 26, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Without a doubt…the most inconsistent offense I have ever seen from the Braves. Pathetic…4-7 against the Reds, Cardinals, and Giants. But hey, the wild-card is well within reach.

By N8

July 26, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

chrisklob

Good points, to an extent.

“And while it may just be my perception, a lot of the regular bloggers seem to be spending a lot less time here, including you N8.”

I’ve picked and chosen my moments. It’s my busy time of the year at work, (I actually have work to do durning the day), so the daytime blogging has been down a bit. I still read, and check in, but don’t have the time to get deep into it, during the day.

And I’ve had family at my house for about a week. So between that and the west coast/late games, just haven’t been on much lately.

No real reasons other than that for me. More of a time thing, than a frustration thing. God knows, I absolutely LOVE to complain any chance I get, so not much would keep me away.

:-)

DOB

Any word on Tex YET?

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

7-7 out of the break against a schedule every blogger agreed that we needed to dominate. This party is over.

By N8

July 26, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Not that anybody cares. But part of that story from Tim Kurkjian came back to me.

The pitcher gave up a gopher ball to a hitter, and he didn’t like how he was “jogging” around the bases at a leisurely pace.

Being a relief pitcher, a couple of years went by without facing the batter in a game situation again. Then the batter signed with the Dodgers, and was plunked in spring training. When the batter asked him why he did that, he yelled back, “because you run the bases too slow after homeruns”.

Sorry to those who don’t care. Sorry to those who might, for getting it wrong the first time. :-)

By Gil In Mechanicsville

July 26, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Interesting game for Richmond tonight. Four pitchers combined for a two hit shut out. Kyle Davies was used as a pinch hitter. Richmond scored two runs without the benefit of a hit. Lillibridge scored both runs after lead off walks in the first and the eight. The run scored in the eight was as a result of four walks in the inning. Final score Richmond defeats Ottawa 2-0 to sweep the four game series.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

July 26, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Those one here who are ripping people for being negative have very valid points. However, lets face facts. Playoff caliber teams don’t get cupcake schedules and play .500 baseball. That is exactly what the Braves did. Honestly, it wasn’t the pitching that let us down. Yes, the pen blew some games but the offense had multiple opportunities in every single one of those games to pile on runs and could not get the job done. It really is unacceptable.

By Eric C.

July 26, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

Robert,

“His defense is terrific…”

Is it still terrific? Did you see that pitiful attempt at Bond’s liner? Given his woeful offense, anything less than perfect defense does not justify more than 12 million a year.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

OK guys………lets get real…… Does this team deserves to win? No way, we want them to win because we love our braves, but as long as BC is making so many bad decision day after day after day, losing is what he deserves. MLB is part of life and live has runs by the rules of the jungle, ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE, it is called natural selection, and the braves are too weak to continue further, so say goodbye to playoffs.

By jeffrey

July 26, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

I agree guys..but this is the same pattern. We continue to play medicore baseball against medicore teams. There is no reason we played two step in this 14 game stretch. We have too many whiffle bats in our lineup(AJ, Frenchy- just as bad as AJ, Thorman, and DeadWood- a K waiting to happen. Why do we still have him with Escobar being able to 2b, ss and 3rd? They got rid of Wilson, they should get rid of him too

By Salty

July 26, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

DO’B I really think he’s losing it. His mind and his fan support. Am I imagining this trend DOB, or not?

Yup…I’m sure if you answer “or not”, it won’t get back to the clubhouse. Sheesh…career move moment!

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

chrisklob who would you rather have managing this team right now?Cox or Pinella?But you do make some good points.

Savannah,you’re 9:40 is dead on.My sentiments exactly.Just probably a little more eloquently put.

Stuart I agree with your 9:49 post,word for word.Especially the line “It is a terribly frustrating team.There are good players on this team,just not enough of them.”Kudos.

By Savannah Guy

July 26, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

Chip Caray hater Now, that was a very weak attempt at ridicule. Why didn’t you really go for the throat and say: Mets fan in disguise? Well, I guess you couldn’t use the word disguise though now could you little weenie boy from behind the curtain?

Seems you are too afraid to use your own known moniker (or one of them) as you toss little firecracker duds. Sounds like maybe, um, let’s see…a multi-personality fella from, say, the central gulf coast of Florida that is on a bay perhaps? Bit dog barking? Is Jimbo around or do you save him for DOB bashing? Wimp. Show yourself and I’ll give you what you deserve to get…ignored.

By Braves Fan 79 (shoulda traded vick for CJ)

July 26, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Krisklob: man its good your loyal and all to bobby…and i would stand up for the guy if i was in a bar up north and pple were talking crap about him. But this has gotta be his worst managing job since hes taken over the Braves. Tonights lineup was just pathetic. Why in the WORLD would ANY manager continue to start a guy and bat him in crucial situations when these are his numbers: 62 games, 11 runs, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homerun, 4 walks, 7rbi’s (THATS RIGHT COX SENT A GUY WITH 7 Rbi’s up to bat last night over mccan and harris!) Its not like were talking about someone who used to be good either and might come around soon. The guy hit .216 last year and .235 in 2004. DAMNIT DUMP WOODCRAP BEFORE WE THROW AWAY THE SEASON!! ITS OBVIOUS BOBBY ISNT GONNA DO IT SO JS U GOTTA TAKE CHARGE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DAM THIS SUCKS!!!! First we wait forever to bring up escobar and give him and orr all those starts…and now this. makes me sick.

By Salty

July 26, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

chrisklob This blog has become barely readable the last few months with all the second-guessing, the ridiculous arguments, the trolls and the jackals.

Truer words never spoken…well…not recently, anyhow!

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

Hoss?LOL…I’m still laughing at that.Seems highly inappropriate.But hey,maybe it’s just me.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

hey dave when did the party started? The muts have been ahead of us 80% of the season.

By Steve

July 26, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

It’s just intellectually inexplicable to sit Renteria with Chipper out of the lineup. It’s not like you need all the offense you can get against a tough starting pitcher. But this is typical Bobby Cox. In the past, the Braves had such great teams that Cox’s low IQ decision making didn’t rear its ugly head until key strategic moments in post season. But now, the Braves are at best a good team, and they cannot afford Cox’s seeming willingness to cavalierly not field the most competitive lineup possible. I’m also thinking back to the last home series against the Mets where Cox also inexplicably penciled in a weak lineup for game 2 of that series, thus costing the Braves a decent chance at a sweep of that series. And the continued batting of Andruw Jones in the cleanup slot borders on immature stubborness at best, and mental retardation at worst. Even when Jones had the 51 homer season, his average with runners in scoring position was atrocious, and that’s when he was at the top of his offensive game.

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

That consistent offense that Shaun and Coach have been touting just managed to put up 3 runs in the last 18 innings against the SF Geriatrics. But wait, maybe that was because they actually faced some decent pitching. Sure they can bash Braden Looper, but what happens when they face Noah Lowry and Tim Lincecum back-to-back??? 3 runs. Helped of course by Bobby Cox’s brilliant lineup card management.

Homeboy, oh Homeboy…what is to become of this season?? Are we a contender that is going to try to win weak division?? Or are we a bunch that is going to stand or fall on some of the terrible moves that have been made so far this season (Redman, Thorman, Wilson, Woodward, Davies, etc)??

By bravesfan

July 26, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB what is happening with this team?

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

“Without a doubt…the most inconsistent offense I have ever seen from the Braves. Pathetic…4-7 against the Reds, Cardinals, and Giants. But hey, the wild-card is well within reach.”

Watch it Eric,Shaun will bury you in meaningless statistics with comments like that.Didn’t you know we were averaging 4 runs a game,better than all but 5 NL teams?Teams are going to have games where they only score 1-2 runs.It’s just the natural ebb and flow of a baseball season.

By Jonny B Good

July 26, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

Ok, I would love to have Tex as well. But all you people who are clamoring to get him here lickity split, how would you react or feel if he hurt himself shortly after we acquired him? Would it be the same reaction as to when Mike Gonzalez got hurt? “OH YES, we got Mike Gonzalez!!!!! GREAT TRADE JS!!!” then after Mike got hurt it was “CRAPPY TRADE JS, GONZALEZ is hurt!!!, thanks for trading LaRoche for this pile of crap!!!”

You people will never be happy.

By Savannah Guy

July 26, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Gil In Mechanicsville Agreed all and well put. Thing is, if the franchise would do the things that would make us competitive THIS year, great. If they would do things that clearly set us up for the future…fine. Trouble is, the ship seems rudderless. Half measures achieve half way to goals, which is never acceptable in life, business or sports. Losing with the team of the future could be fun to watch. Losing with a half-baked roster is not fun. Hope Liberty realizes that. The fan is the customer, and the customer is NOT happy.

By bravesfan

July 26, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Atlanta takes advantage of the Rangers’ fire sale to bring in Teixeira, who sparked the Braves to a 51-18 record the rest of the season and the NL East crown. Teixeira batted .310 with 19 home runs and 55 RBI.

HA HA NOT!!!

By Carolina Lady

July 26, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Chrisklob, This blog has become barely readable the last few months with all the second-guessing, the ridiculous arguments, the trolls and the jackals. Seriously, how many times do people have to be told that AJ can’t be traded? The past couple of days my favorite line has been “Salty for Tex. Come on JS, PULL THE TRIGGER!!! ….. And while it may just be my perception, a lot of the regular bloggers seem to be spending a lot less time here,

You are ever so right! Now it’s mostly the same people saying the same things over and over ad nauseum. The amount of ignorance and immaturity shown at times is amazing - and boring.

I can’t help but wonder if DOB is getting tired of this also. He puts an awful lot of time and energy into the Braves Beat Blog and gets some pretty poor treatment by too many on here in return. He goes WAY above and beyond what he’s required to do. Some ought to try some rational thought once in a while and realize that.

People, just take a moment and realize that JS is doing all he can to make this deal happen. The RANGERS are the ones who will “pull the trigger.” Either they accept or they don’t. Wild-eyed, frantic posting will not hurry it by even one second or change the outcome.

(Heading for bed - developed an abscessed tooth, had a root canal Tuesday, going back tomorrow a.m., just not feeling too well with this stupid thing.) CL out.

By TampaBrave

July 26, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

I’m back to the chagrin of many. You know who you are. I missed the first 7 innings, but was not surprised to see us with 2 runs. Par for the course. Anybody still think our offense is not disfunctional? Yeah, the lineup was weak tonight, but so was the pitcher.

Will, If you and LEW are sitting there together listening, Thorman sucks in every aspect.

Bobby Cox is a great overall administrator of men, but strays on the situationals sometimes. Might be case of trying to have your cake and eat it too.

If anyone wants a great laugh, check out the 12:14 post from the previous blog. It involves that dude from “A Beautiful Mind” named Shaun. Well worth it.

Savannah Guy,

You are funny!! Probably funny lookin too.

By jame

July 26, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

DOB, there were reports - maybe a month or so ago- that the Pirates were interested in Salty, to the point they’d give up Snell or Gorzelanny. I know many people want Tex, but I’ll go with good young pitching everytime.

Anyway I’d rather wait to trade Salty, if he must be, in the winter. I think his value increases and WE will have the upperhand. Maybe a Salty/M.Harrison for Snell or Gorzelanny/A.McCutchen. That is if Andruw is unsignable. Otherwise Salty for Snell/Gorzelanny straight up.

Anyway I think getting pen help is the biggest priority.

By Brady

July 26, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

i live in dallas and have gotten to watch tex for a number of years. if the rangers are up 6-0 then he’s the best guy on our team. if we’re in a clutch spot, with two outs, in need of a big hit, then you can rest assured he will strike out. i’ve seen it too many times. and with the braves being the kind of team that’s been able to come from behind to win games, i can promise you that picking up texiera is the worst possible move the Braves could make right now. gauranteed.

By Dumblogger

July 26, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

YEAH! FIRE THE WHOLE BUNCH OF WIMPS. THEY GETTING PAYED GOOD MONEY, WYH CAN’T THEY PLAY EVRYDAY. FIRE BOBBY COX. DUM CAUZE HE DON’T NO HOW TOO WHEN.

By The Dude

July 26, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

I know I’m “fresh meat” here…BUT…The Dude sez…Make the trade….ANY…trade…tia…

By TampaBrave

July 26, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Johnny B Good

If my aunt had testicles she’d be my uncle.

By Lew

July 26, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

BravesFan 79-Calm down Dude-Woodward hit two loud foul balls this week. He’s getting hot. Maybe we should trade him while his value’s high. Probably we could get Texiera for him and Nathan can get back to sleep and be regular again. Nathan-Have you tried Metamucil? It might help.

By dadgum

July 26, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

The Braves will definitely be making the trade. We have just been swept by Cincy and now split with San Fran. The two worst teams around the NL. The BRaves simply are NOT a very good team or at least one that can sustain a wild card drive at the end of the season. Yes, Salty will have to be moved to get Tex but it is a move that is all but done if the Braves aren’t trumped at the last minute.

By Bob

July 26, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady,

Eloquently put and right on target. It is amazing how many stupid people still talk about trading Andruw after being told 9 million times that it can’t be done…Shaun, please check my numbers to verify I am right about the 9 million figure.

By gotigers72

July 26, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

One game under .500 after a 7-1 start. It’s now or never JS. Pull the trigger. I know it’s up to Texas, but try and entice them.

I’m surprised that this lineup scored even 2 runs. Three guys, including the cleanup hitter, hitting under .223, another guy who except for one 6 for 6 game is in a slump. I know the cleanup hitter has 66 RBIs, but he should have 90+. He has 2 of the Top 5 hitters in the NL hitting right in front of him, both with OBPs over 400. Yeah, he got a hit tonight, but it should have been caught or ruled an error.

I don’t think the Braves should keep the Rally Killer if they get Teixeira. Rally Killer has a selfish attitude and an empty headed approach toward hitting. If they can afford both, then they could afford Tori Hunter or another good defensive centerfielder. Maybe not as good as Andruw, but not that much of a drop off either.

I have always been a fan of Bobby Cox, always defended him to fans of other teams and defended him to Braves fans who criticize him. But there is so much I don’t understand this year. Leaving the Rally Killer in the 4th spot almost the whole year, taking off the bunt then the hitter hits into a double play like Carlyle did tonight. Why take off the bunt with a pitcher at bat? If he fouls off the bunt with 2 strikes, that’s just one out, not two. That is not the only time that has happened this year either. I can think of three or four times when taking off the bunt has jumped up and bitten the Braves in the arse in the form of a double play. Methinks the Braves miss Pat Corrales as the bench coach more than anyone realizes. I think he is one guy that would tell Bobby the truth and not always be a yes man. Maybe that’s why he left and went to Washington. BC just doesn’t seem as sharp with his decisions this year.

By chrisklob

July 26, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

*Braves Fan 79 *, make no mistake, I am not a BC apologist at all. I do think he’s a HOF manager but I am very well aware of his shortcomings.

My point is that many of the bloggers on here nitpick every little decision he makes. If every choice were made correctly then they’d go 162-0 every year and win the WS every year too. That is simply not a realistic expectation. We have to remember that there is another team over there in the other dugout with 25 MLB-caliber players and a bevy of coaches and managers who want the same exact thing that we want.

It’s important to remember the old cliche about the season being a marathon, not a sprint. There is a reason they play 162, not 16.

By Atlanta 66

July 26, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

Brady, you make Teixeira sound like Henry Aaron. Aaron would usually hit into a double play in a clutch situation. I’m not making this up. Horrible clutch hitter.

By shannon

July 26, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

DOB (or anyone else)

Any word on Sturtze? It’s been quite a few days since his last minor league start. Another set-back?

By Carolina Lady

July 26, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

Bob, “Shaun, please check my numbers to verify I am right about the 9 million figure.” Now that’s funny! :-))

And thanks - appreciated!

CL and her pain pills are going to bed.

By N8

July 26, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

“Would it be the same reaction as to when Mike Gonzalez got hurt? “OH YES, we got Mike Gonzalez!!!!! GREAT TRADE JS!!!” then after Mike got hurt it was “CRAPPY TRADE JS, GONZALEZ is hurt!!!, thanks for trading LaRoche for this pile of crap!!!””

Anybody who made those comments is just plain ignorant. The trade (in hindsight) has not worked out THIS YEAR. But the trade, at the time of it, was (and still is) a good one. We have Gonzalez under control for the next few years. Maybe he never pitches effectively again, maybe he does.

But look at it this way. If we WOULD HAVE had LaRoche and his pathetic numbers in April and May, how much worse would we have been? April is when Thorman actually hit OK, right?

A player getting injured after being traded, is just the luck of the draw. But from the results Gonzalez threw out there, I think it was QUITE CLEAR why JS made that trade, don’t you?

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

chriskolb Your 9:38 post was dead on! Then, the very next post is from some “overlord” who proceeds to do exactly what Chris was complaining about. Not to pick on Overlord, as he is not the only one….many others.

Abso-frickin-lutely everything BC does is ripped. Listen to some of the XM baseball shows, and TO A MAN, they all laud the job that Bobby and the Braves management do. Maybe he is not the best tactician, but his other positives WAY outway any other deficiencies.

Some of you guys frustrate me to the point of going away for days at a time. I wonder if some of you need to go get your mama and have her change your diapers, as you cry so danged much!

One of the things that has made Bobby’s teams successful in the past 15 years is his ability to use the players he has to the max of their abilities. Now, not every player reaches that potential every year (Woodward and Thorman this year). Bobby gets his guys some AB’s to keep them sharp.

I guess it was just pure luck that guys like Matt Diaz, Willie Harris, Charles Thomas, Eli Marrero, and others played beyond their norms. Of course, none of that was Bobby’s credit, but if he plays Woodward, then he is an idiot.

Buddy has a rough outing, and now we need 2 more arms…….JEEZ.

Talk about fickle fans…

Thanks again Chris! My friend N8 was not exactly correct, you were DEAD ON tonight!

By N8

July 26, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

gotigers72

It’s comments like this that prompted me to make my earlier comment.

“I have always been a fan of Bobby Cox, always defended him to fans of other teams and defended him to Braves fans who criticize him. But there is so much I don’t understand this year.”

Even people WHO LIKE BOBBY, are complaining more, and more about him.

By chrisklob

July 26, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

*Jonny B Good *, thank you for supporting my previous post with that very fine, and very true example of the fickle nature of this blog.

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Has anyone else mentioned that in addition to some of the terrible moves that have been made this season (Wilson, Redman, Woodward etc), the only pleasant surprises on this team (outside of Kelly Johnson - but I am not really surprised by his good play) have been Willie Harris, Peter Moylan, Buddy Carlyle, and Yunel Escobar. What do they have in common???? All had excellent spring training results and all were left off the 25-man roster on opening day. More great decision-making by Bobby and the Homeboy.

By P-Town Brave

July 26, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

MAKE THE MOVE AND GET TEX JS OR NO PLAYOFFS FOR US!

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

“It’s important to remember the old cliche about the season being a marathon, not a sprint. There is a reason they play 162, not 16.”

Bobby’s biggest shortcoming of all.He’s never been able to differentiate between the two come playoff time.He manages a 5 game series in Oct like it’s a May series against the Pirates.

By chrisklob

July 26, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

SHannon, I haven’t heard what his status is but you can check out his minor league stats this year right here.

EXTREME WARNING. Numbers this large may make you dizzy or nauseous.

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Todd A, BravesDave, Overlord, Steve, Braves Fan 79

Can you guys go back and read Carolina Lady’s last couple of posts, please.

Jonny B Good Thanks!

CL Thanks!

Lew Thanks!

Gil Thanks!

Bob Thanks!

I probably forgot some, but if I did, Thanks for keeping the faith!

Last, but certainly not least, DOB, thanks a TON!

By David O'Brien

July 26, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

Atlanta 66, that’s brilliant. The all-time RBI leader in baseball history was a horrible clutch hitter.

Let’s see, Atlanta 66 says Hank was a horrible clutch hitter.

On the other hand, Larry Bowa says this: “I thought Hank was a great player. He could field, throw, steal bases, hit for average, for power. I guess the thing that stands out about Aaron is, I don’t think he ever hit 50 home runs [in a single season], did he? [Aaron’s single-season high was 47, in 1971.] He was just consistent. He had that unique swing where he’d get out on that front leg. His wrists were unbelievable. He had that discipline at the plate. You’d very seldom see him swing at bad pitches. He was just very scary when he came up with runners in scoring position. He did everything, everything.”

No, Larry, apparently he didn’t hit in the clutch. Just ask Atlanta 66.

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 11:00 PM | Link to this

“But look at it this way. If we WOULD HAVE had LaRoche and his pathetic numbers in April and May, how much worse would we have been? April is when Thorman actually hit OK, right?”

We won’t know for sure,but there’s a good chance,no…a very good chance that LaRoche wouldn’t have had such a terrible start if he was still in a Braves uniform.I still think he will be a good,solid 5-6 year starter(if not traded sooner for salary considerations)for the Pirates.

I’m one of those that criticized the trade in hindsight.I didn’t say anything when the trade was made,because I wasn’t familiar with Mike Gonzales.Like I’ve said on here a couple of times already,the first couple times I saw him pitch in Atlanta,I began holding my breath.He sits out the last month of ‘06 with arm problems and he has this funky,unorthodox delivery…just asking for Tommy John surgery.But what do I know.I figured he would last longer than the middle of May.But I’m not surprised he is on the DL.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

wayne are you saying that bobby is not an idiot?

How do you explain we are in 2nd place if we have 4 guy guys hitting more than .330 and 2 more hitting more than .290, plus 1-2 starters pitching very well and 3-4 pitching beyond expectations. Doesnt makes any sense. Only explanation is that BC is an idiot.

Plus he proves it day in and day out.

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

A question about the value of Andruw?

With Dave’s report this afternoon, it is obvious that Andruw wants to be a Brave for life, but it is also clearly obvious he is in some sort of denial as to what is wrong with his game, and how he can fix it.

What would you pay him to stay? Amount and years please.

I will start off. I think he is only worth about 8-10 million per year, and I would only give him 3 years for fear of him falling off the face of the earth.

Andruw should have 100 RBI’s at this point in the season with all those who have been setting the table for him.

Whaddya think?

By chrisklob

July 26, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Wayne in Utah, Carolina Lady, N8, Salty, et. al. Thank you for your support. Glad to know that I’m not alone in my feelings.

Some of you guys frustrate me to the point of going away for days at a time. Can I get an “AMEN” right here please?

Todd A You said: Bobby’s biggest shortcoming of all. He’s never been able to differentiate between the two come playoff time.He manages a 5 game series in Oct like it’s a May series against the Pirates. I’ve been saying this for years and still whole-heartedly support.

Please understand that I am NOT a Cox apologist. He does make a lot of questionable calls. Someone earlier nailed it: great clubhouse guy, not a great tactician (might have been N8 but I’m too tired, stressed out, lazy and drunk to scroll back to give proper credit to whoever said it).

But I still stand by my statement that there’s a danm good reason that players, peers, writers and experts from all over hold BC in the highest regard. And no, it’s not just because BC let’s the kids run wild. He’s doing SOMETHING right. We’re not in the executive offices. We’re not in the clubhouse. We’re not in the dugout. We don’t really get to see BC’s effect on his players like the insiders do. Not even with DOB’s help.

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

OK, Wayne, no negative posting allowed on the blog. I love the Braves, Bobby Cox, Julio Franco, Chris Woodward, Craig Wilson, Mark Redman, Lance Cormier, Bob Wickman, Pete Orr, and Andruw Jones. I love everything about all of them. I am also very happy when the Braves go 4-7 against the Reds, Cards, and Geriatrics.

Is that better?

By David O'Brien

July 26, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

N8, the update on Teixeira: The Rangers were off today. They start a series with Kansas City tomorrow.

By Efrim

July 26, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

We’ll be fine guys. I mean the Giants are a tough team. They have quality pitching, and it showed.

I mean I know we are 7-7 out of the break, but we faced some teams with good records that were on fire.

The Mets haven’t showed me anything to this point. They are 9-5 out of the break , but they faced teams that were a joke. I mean, they didn’t have to go to the West Coast and face two tough teams like we had too before the break.

Those Giants have a very good young lineup.

By Ron Roberts

July 26, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

Don’t sweat another anemic offensive game, folks. Shaun will be here shortly to tell us it’s no big deal, and that the statistics actually show we’re doing well, offensively.

By Todd A

July 26, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this

Wayne what do you know?You’re a Clemson grad.:)Sorry if some of my stuff is redundant.But,don’t get so bent out of shape when a couple people vent.Now the attacks on DOB today were over the line and shouldn’t be tolerated.But hey,I haven’t called Bobby “Donk” on here yet.

By Efrim

July 26, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

DOB

I know you aren’t impressed with the Mets, but what in the Braves recent play against sub .500 teams makes you think that they will catch them? Fair question, I think…..

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

No Overlord, it is you who seems to display idiotic tendencies. It seems to me that Bobby Cox is a long term major leaguer manager, probably making more money this year than you can make over at Burger Queen in your lifetime. While you might be good at the drive up window, Bobby has the admiration of many in the Major League baseball community.

Don’t believe it, listen to some sports talk or better yet, ask Mr. O’Brien.

And yes, Braves Dave, that is much better.

By Najeh Davenpoop

July 26, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

Why exactly do we need Teixeira? We have one good hitter who can play 1B (Saltalamacchia) and another good hitter who doesn’t play enough, hasn’t yet played 1B but theoretically could if needed (Diaz). It’s not the fault of the roster that Bobby Cox continues to play Franco and Thorman at 1B when neither one is a reliable starter. This team needs a lefty specialist in the bullpen and a #3 starter way more than it needs an offensive threat at 1B. Even with the black holes that are Andruw Jones and Thorman in the lineup, the Braves are still hitting around .270 as a team. Shore up the pitching staff a little and you have yourself a solid contender.

By Tomahawkin' Again

July 26, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

So, DOB, since no one has asked in the last 5 minutes, what’s the latest on Tex?

By LeTwan Anthony

July 26, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

A nice banana cream pie

Yield: 8 servings

1 10” baked pie shell 1 envelope unflavored gelatin ¼ cup cold water ¾ cup sugar ¼ cup cornstarch ½ teaspoon salt 2 ¾ cups milk 4 egg yolks, slightly beaten 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 4 ripe bananas, divided 1 cup whipping cream Juice and grated peel 1 lemon ½ cup apple jelly

In a small bowl soften the gelatin in cold water. Set aside. In a medium saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Blend in the milk and egg yolks and cook, stirring often, over low heat until thickened and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, add the gelatin mixture and stir until it is dissolved. Stir in the butter and vanilla. Lay a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap directly on the surface of the mixture so it won’t form a film. Set aside until completely cooled.

Peel and slice 3 of the bananas. Whip the cream. Fold the bananas and whipped cream into the cooled custard. Spoon the mixture into the baked pie shell. Chill in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 hours to set the filling. To serve, peel and slice the remaining banana and arrange it in the center of the pie. In a small saucepan, melt the apple jelly with the lemon juice and peel. Spoon or brush it over the bananas to glaze them. Serve immediately.

By David O'Brien

July 26, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

After a single on July 5 (hitless in his final two at-bats that day), Bonds has gone 6-for-42 with two homers, six RBIs, nine strikeouts and 14 walks. The homers and RBIs all came in one game at Chicago.

Besides his game at Wrigley, in his other past 12 games he’s 3-for-39 with no RBIs and one extra-base hit, today’s double that could have been ruled a single and E8.

By chrisklob

July 26, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

BravesDave, regarding your 10.41 post….

Do you have an extra crystal ball you can spare? I’d like to borrow it until Saturday night when they draw the next power ball numbers!

Yes, those players had nice springs but what about their previous MLB histories indicated that they would be able to perform at the level that they have this year?

Without looking it up I believe that Willie is a career .240 or so hitter before this year.

Peter Moylan appeared in 15 games last year with a 4.80 ERA. Yes, a grand total of 15 MLB appearances.

Buddy Carlyle. Buddy FREAKIN’ Carlyle is the very definition of “journeyman” pitcher. Are you aware that he went EIGHT years between MLB wins?

Yunel Escobar, a very fine PROSPECT. Been in the US for about two years with exactly ZERO experience in the bigs. Oh, and do you remember that the Braves seem to have a plethora of infielders and infield prospects?

These four, (with the exception of Escobar) along with Wilson, Redman and Woodward are what are considered to be spare parts. You keep them laying around to patch holes/fix problems that you have. That is the reason that they were brought to camp this spring. And if you want to criticize Braves management for initially starting the season with the wrong pieces of scrap then go ahead. But you’re either an idiot-savant or have future-telling powers. And if you really are talented that way, please apply for a job with the Braves front office. They could probably use someone like you.

By Jared

July 26, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

Guys, the Braves don’t need Teixeira. They have a hot-hitting platoon of Thorman and Franco.

What the Braves need to win it all is this: a lefty specialist one out guy. Just ask new Braves’ GM Chipper Jones.

By Jonny B Good

July 26, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

chrisklob and Wayne in Utah, You guys are welcome :) I sit here and read this blog every single day, there probably isn’t one day that goes by that I do not log in. But when the constant droning of “Please JS, pull the trigger!” or “Salty for TEX, JS get it done!” gets to be to much, I have to shut the blog off for a while. I love rumors just as much as the next person, but when it’s the same thing over and over again, it gets old. What I don’t understand is why in the world would you give up 3 talented and highly touted prospects for a year and half rental? Yes, TEX is good, sometimes bordering on great, but what if he doesn’t get us to the playoffs? What then? What happens when Jo-Jo is pitching a complete game shutout to his battery-mate Jarrod Saltalamacchia, while Elvis Andrus is making the final out in the World Series a few years from now, while Tex is somewhere else playing for a ton of money?

Again, I am all for Texeira, but at what cost?

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

What about it Wayne?

its just her opinion……

I have not mentioned nothing about the trades, because i think salty is a good player and in my opinion getting rid of good prospects and young player are never good deals.

Im not sure if you think cox bad decision are to be ignored.

Hey renteria was scheduled to rest today…… well guess what bobby, he will have to rest on sat or sun when chipper is back in the line up.

Come on, u cant sit chipper, renteria and julio/salty (whomever) in the same game and spect to win, not to mention its the 4th starter turn, pitcher who will probably will need more suport than 1-3, if we go by the number and stats as bobby usually bases his decision.

Players need rest, but not all in the same day. And not on a series that is in risk of been split. Not when we are 3.5 games behind. There is a limit of games it is 162 and clock is ticking.

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Todd A You are right, I don’t know much. An MBA from Clemson is like a 9th grade education down in the Atlanta area, I have heard!

This is not a vent. It is a blog. You guys treat it like a vent forum, and you make it very hard to enjoy with all the negativism. Constantly slamming one of the 10 greatest managers ever to put on a uniform is getting old.

Bobby Cox is not perfect, just very, very good. I just am looking for some sanity, that’s all. Sure, I would bat Andruw 6th or 7th, but it is NOT my (or your) team to manage.

Like I said, just looking for some sanity. Like Rodney King said, “Can’t we all just get along?”

:-)

By LeTwan Anthony

July 26, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this

A favorite of journalists:

Cheddar Crust

Yield: Two 8” or 9” pie crusts or one 10” crust

2 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup vegetable shortening 4 to 5 tablespoons ice water

In a medium bowl mix the flour, shredded Cheddar cheese and salt. With a pastry blender or fork, cut in the vegetable shortening until the pieces are the size of peas. Stir in ice water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough just holds together.

By David O'Brien

July 26, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

The latest: I think Tex just ordered some BBQ at Bryant’s in Kansas City.

By Atlanta 66

July 26, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Ha-Ha, DOB. Check out who the all -time leader in GIDP’s is. Also, I grew up watching the Braves from 66. Crap pitching, good hitting, never in contention, except 1 year. And also check Aaron’s stats in that playoff. Aaron always got pitched to because there was never any reason not to.

You wouldn’t know that because you’re not from Atlanta,and too young I guess. Keep reading those stats, though. Makes it look like you know something.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

sorry wayne but you are showing so little class that i wont waste my time discussing with you, i could hurt your feeling but ill just leave it like that, it obvious you are frustrated.

And BTW i dont work at the drive in and i think i can make as much or more money than bobby does……. no need to be a mlb manager to be rich pal…. wake up.

By Chop Chop

July 26, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

Barry Bonds is toast. He’ll break the record, but this will be his last productive season as a major leaguer. And you can take that to the bank, fellas.

That reminds me…

Senator Vernon Trent: You can take that to the bank!

Mason Storm: I’m gonna take you to the bank, Senator Trent. To the blood bank!

Steven Seagal, Hard To Kill

Classic.

By Bobby Cocks

July 26, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

Can we ship Cox to Texas with Salty? He needs to go and take Pendleton with him. I can’t take anymore ‘we give up” line-ups from him. Getting everyone some at bats even if they’re hovering at the Mendoza line is more important to this overrated idiot of a manager than winning games.

By Atlanta 66

July 26, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

Larry Bowa quote. Christ, you’re killing me.

No, nobody is going to speak ill of poor ‘ol Henry. Great numbers, just a choker. Don’t believe it, I don’t care.

By Braves Fan 79 (shoulda traded vick for CJ)

July 26, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

bravesfan: what are you talking about….how we gonna loose only 18 more games this year when its assured that Bobbys gonna start woodcrap at least 19 more times!?? Wayne in Utah: man im so glad Bobby gets everyone at bats. I dont know what we would do if we couldnt keep woodcrap hot like hes been all season. I mean 7 rbi’s…in over 70 games….what would we ever do without him!??
Bobby keeps playing these games like its a split squad spring training game. Folks what p** me off is if not for all the stupid mistakes lineup wise…and bringing in the wrong reliever at the wrong time…..(bringing in redmen with bases loaded against the red sox wasnt exactly the brightest idea) wed easily be 10 games over .500 right now! When all is said and done and if the Braves are out of the playoffs….it will suck because i know were better than the Dodgers, Cubs, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Padres, Phillies, Mets. Its hard to win 90 games thou when u give so many away. I said the same thing months ago when the Braves were for some stupid reason waiting to bring up escobar…all the while giving woodcrap and orr all those starts. No season has ever fustrated me like this one. Well maybe the falcons season last year after they started out so good ranks up there. Anyways…go Braves….

By Alex

July 26, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

DOB-

I hate to poo-poo on your source about Tex’s latest info…but I’m hearing he went to Gate’s not Bryant’s

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

Overlord I don’t have a problem with guys questioning Bobby. BUT on every frickin thing??? When things go well, where are the kudos?

You guys seem to think that he has a crystal ball or something.

Who’s to say that Chipper will be back tomorrow or this weekend? If you were going to rest Renteria, then against which team would you rest him? The lowly Giants, or the Diamondbacks? If he had waited until tomorrow or Saturday, then you would have complained that he should have rested him against the Giants.

With some of you guys, it’s never going to be good enough.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

OK, so what next…….arizona. What are aour chances to get 2 out of 3 from this guys…..

Does anyone heard something about chippers injury? Is it nothing serious as they mentioned earlier today?

By journalist jimmy smith

July 26, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

By MARK DAVIS The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 07/26/07

“The kid looked a little nervous, standing there. The world was so big, filled with new things and strange sounds. Good thing mama was at his side.”

“She walked across the hillside, diamond-dewy in the morning sun. He bumped behind her like a shadow. She sniffed the air, filled with the cries of bluejays. He snuffled his little nose, too.”

“around it, he wrapped his skinny little self around her. Together they swung like a red, hairy pendulum — Madu and Dumadi, mother and child, orangutans.”

jimmy smith would like to nominate mark davis for a wurlitzer. this is beautiful writing. mark davis should also be encouraged to blog here. seems like a good fit.

By Ron

July 26, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this

TampaBrave You are an irritating little f***, you know that? Lets trade everybody for Tex and IF Tex helped us make the Playoffs then he will be a BUST in the playoffs JUST like Drew and Sheffield!!! And countless others!!! But those are the two big names that I TRUSTED to help us over the hump and they did nothing!!! Dont be saying crap on here, if we trade for Tex and we dont go nowhere in the Playoffs If we even make the Playoffs!!! Same s** different day!!!

By Braves Fan 79 (shoulda traded vick for CJ)

July 26, 2007 11:46 PM | Link to this

BravesDave: I could not agree more man….how in the world do u leave off escobar, harris, salty, caryle, in favor of orr, woodcrap, wilson, redmen!!??? Maybe JS Is loosing his touch. As a Braves fan i shure hope not! I mean escobar hit amazingly in spring training…what in the world made them take orr or woodcrap instead!??

By chrisklob

July 26, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

Atlanta 66, regarding your 11.29 post……

I’m assuming that the playoffs you are referring to occurred in 1969. Are you aware that Aaron hit .357 in that series? Maybe you’re more critical than me but I’d take that any time.

Regarding Aaron’s supposed inability to hit in the clutch check these career numbers out:

Career BA of .304

With 2 outs, RISP he hit .295

In Tie Games, BA of .284

Within 1 run, BA of .303

WIthin 2 runs, BA of .301

Within 3 runs, BA of .301

Within 4 runs, BA of .302

Those are some pretty steady numbers. You might want to read some of his stats sometime. It might make YOU look like you actually know something before you go spouting off on our host.

By Overlord

July 26, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

bobby cocks dont say nothing against bobby in this blog because you are gonna make some people cry. I do hate him too, but dont say much, wait till midnight, at that time they dont let kids in anymore, then you can say anything you want. hehehe

By Savannah Guy

July 26, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this

chrisklob As always…you are a voice of reason and speak just good plain truth about the blog. You have inspired. One actionable item that I believe would address the blog “problem” would be an AJC/IT solution. Everyone gets one moniker. Keeps trolls to a minimum. Keeps multi-personality grenade lobbers from drive-by attacks, from behind the curtain. Keeps the smut mongers away also, mostly. Let every blogger stand for what they say and be accountable for their words.

Now, the repeated diatribes on how stupid everyone is and the frantic begging/demanding for/of trades to be made and the repetitive, redundant chatter about the same theoretical issues repeated over and over ad nauseum will no doubt continue…but each blogger will be known by name and thus taken for what they typically present. The scroll button solves that. You always have a few harmless cases that self-awareness seems to elude. That’s ok. That’s life.

Without some secure IT sign-in and entrance, I’m afraid the blog will become a dumping ground for hate, smut and chaos while DOB tries to do his full-time job and manage this blog forum…and does remarkably well. Without some registration, the many Braves fans that do enjoy the forum and the information exchange become bored, disgusted, offended and eventually absent. That would be a shame.

Just recently, in the last few nights, the most repugnant posts have visited us from several folks that did their best to ridicule and offend DOB and others. Those were so disgusting and beyond good taste that they were fortunately deleted from the blog. Some of the same people (I’m very sure but can’t prove) came back under another name. For this to improve, AJC technology will have to be a partner in the solution if we expect an enjoyable, respectful dialogue and a civilized, sustainable Internet community. Hey, I’m not talking about censorship…just drawing a line of accountability. That’s all.

The origin of “fan” may be fanatic…and the Internet is and should be a free, wild frontier. Given that, there must be a way that a civilized community of like-minded people, or at least people with a common cause (Braves) can exist without being degraded to the lowest common denominator of vile behavior.

Off my soapbox now.

By Wayne in Utah

July 26, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

Overlord: Good idea. Let’s just pass on each others posts. Glad you are such a successful guy. Have a nice life.

Braves Fan 79: Ditto.

Hey you guys, I think the AJC has a vent forum…..

By the Stranger

July 26, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Any word yet on what kind of BBQ Tex likes?

If it’s not Carolina style I say we go with the Oswalt trade instead.

By journalist jimmy smith

July 26, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

dob, does dob know mark davis and can dob get mark davis to autograph some mark davis memorabalia for the bloggers?

luckovich and davis in the same paper - the ajc is back!

now, baseball … some bloggers are asking: how smart is bobby cox? smart enough to get away with adult nose picking. on television, too. and where is mrs. bobby cox on this matter? can mrs. bobby cox not put a stop to this ill behavior on the part of bobby cox?

By Braves Fan 79 (shoulda traded vick for CJ)

July 27, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

chrisklob: man i defend dave on that one, any true baseball fan could see escobar was better than some career .215 hitter (which woodcrap is) , or a .200 hitter (orr). Or even a washed up wilson. I mean the guy hit like .350 in spring training yet we wait till late May to add him to the team??

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

wayne There are 25 players and several coaches and manager. I have never said a thing about TP even as braves dont score some days….. i dont think is his fault.

But man, this is a game that we MUST have won. I have to think that cox wants to win as many games as possible, but you put 2 rookies and a bench player in the infield behind your 4th started…….you dont have to be to smart to know that they were gonna lose the game. Maybe if it was smoltz or tim pitching the play at first would have never ended as a single, and game turns into a win. Instead rally starts and we end up losing.

I dont expect cox to have a cristal ball, but if you play your weakest player the same day including your SP the chances of winning are slim. If you are gonna rest chipper cant put a rookie at the other corner of the infield, you increase way too much the chances you get burned with an extrabase or something like what happened. I dont take much from cox CV but he looked better than he really is because he had 3 cy young winners at the same time, havent you noticed how things are not so pretty since 2 of them went away? And it will get worse when smoltz does.

By Atlanta 66

July 27, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

He still choked when they needed the runs that series. He NEVER carried the Atlanta team on his back like you see someone like Pujols do. Never.

By Wayne in Utah

July 27, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

DOB: Can we open up dual blogs? We can call one “Braves Fans Who are Never Satisfied” and we can ask Mr. Moore if he will mediate.

On the second one, we can call it: “Braves Fans Who are Sick of the Other Crybaby Fans.”

By Brad in MT

July 27, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

With all the negativity on the blog tonight, it would be a good idea to remember that there are 2 MONTHS left in the season, we are only 1 game out of the wild card and 4 back of the Mets despite all the problems this team has had…I think with a couple of moves this is a playoff team…the team as it is right now, I’m not sure either way.

By the Stranger

July 27, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this

On the other hand, it would be nice to trade for Tex and Oswalt and Gagne in exchange for Woodward, Elvis, Thor & Orr. And a pony. We move Salty into CF and platoon him with Chuck James and pay Andruw to sit on the bench and chart pitches.

I haven’t hashed out all the numbers yet but the Braves would be stupid not to do it. Pull the trigger, Homeboy. Make this happen!!!

By flbravesgirl

July 27, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this

While it’s disappointing to only split the series, I’m consoled somewhat by our pitchers not giving up any HRs to the evil giant head. Let someone else get sucked into that circus.

DOB, I may be wrong but are you getting a little tired of the Tex questions? :-)

CL, hope you feel better soon. I guess teeth aren’t to be trifled with either.

Grinch, you have mail.

By Todd A

July 27, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this

Wayne I’m going to bed now.You can enjoy reading the blog again.

By Wayne in Utah

July 27, 2007 12:15 AM | Link to this

Savannah Dude Amen! I am one of those that just takes a hiatus due to the “noise” on the blog some nights.

I would love to just talk baseball, and you are correct, the scroll button works wonders.

I wonder if the IT folks could pull it off??

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this

Waynee the point is that i cant recall decision that cox take and applaud him, you are right, i just keep saying he does everything bad, but thats how it feels, but as far as i can see almost everyone in here feels he makes too many bad decisions and our record speaks for itself.

Think about it, how can this team with so much talent, an outfield so deep that you have to sit matt diaz down, and IF with 3b, ss and 2b with a combined OBP well above .400. an allstar catcher. 1 and 2 starters at some point in the season considered the best 1-2 punch in NL. And 3-4 started doing their job for the last 6 weeks. A bullpen considered the strength of the team first 2 months and a league that clearly has no dominant team, teams filled with problems, there is no team like the arizona that beat the yankees or the cards that lost to the bosox etc, and yet we get lost in between. It is someone fault, you tell me whos fault is it? Roger? TP? Id not even AJ, cause him by himself cant not cause such a bad performance by the team. I would even say we could survive without any trades at all. With the right moves this team can compete with any team in the NL at least.

By chrisklob

July 27, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this

*Savannah Guy * Without some registration, the many Braves fans that do enjoy the forum and the information exchange become bored, disgusted, offended and eventually absent. That would be a shame.

This, in a nutshell, is my point exactly. I don’t care about, actually don’t even want us all to be like-minded about this team. That would be boring if we were all in agreement about everything. This blog should be open to any baseball fan, Braves fan or not, that has something interesting to say. Perhaps it’s a trade idea or a different perspective to an issue. I truly don’t mind Mets fans on this blog as long as they aren’t going “Nanner nanner booboo”, which they frequently are.

This blog is in danger of losing its identity. That may well be a function of the national publicity that Dave and the blog have received in recent weeks and months. That identity is partially defined by DOB but I think an even larger portion defined by the individuals that contribute here. We have some very interesting characters here and as I mentioned before, we’ve seen less and less of them in recent weeks. Perhaps it’s because it’s summer and more people are traveling. Perhaps it’s because everyone is just busy. Or perhaps it’s because people are disgusted by the drive-by’s, the idiots, the jackals and the trolls. Either way, it’s a shame. I enjoy coming here every single day to read what my fellow Braves fans and Braves haters have to say. But it’s becoming less enjoyable every day.

Several weeks ago, a very drunken Braveheart (where’s he been tonight?) posted what he called the Rookie Rules of Engagement. It was a drunken, tongue-in-cheek attempt to create some structure to what is acceptable on this blog. Anyway, I supported it because this space desperately needs some rules, some structure to maintain sanity.

To me, the RROE held the potential to create ground rules for what is acceptable and not acceptable if you want to be recognized as a legitimate blogger here. My sincere wish is that some sort of structure would be created to help maintain the dignity of DOB’s fine blog.

By Ron

July 27, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

N8 Yeah man, I am a Bobby Cox supporter also, BUT damn this year I have second guessed him sooooo many times that it aint even funny!!! In the past I hardly EVER said anything about him, but it is CLEAR to me that HE is Losing it as a manager!!! What gets me is the Pitchers have been INTENTIONALLY walking Chipper to get to the Cleanup hitter(Andruw Jones of course)!!! That says it all right there!!! Your Cleanup hitter suppose to well, CLEANUP THE BASES BY DRIVING RUNNERS IN!!! Its NOT meant for keeping the bases clean by not getting on base!!!

By flbravesgirl

July 27, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

jimmy, perhaps Mr. Davis should be nominated for a Wurlitzer for animal journalism? Is there such a category?

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this

wayne ill wait for your peaceful answer. thanks, overlord

By chrisklob

July 27, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this

*Braves Fan 79 *, I’m not saying Dave’s wrong but Escobar had played less than 200 professional games in the US before this season began. The front office clearly didn’t think he was ready. After all, he only hit .262 last year in AA. And he wasn’t brought up until Chipper went on the DL and it became absolutely necessary.

By the way, I am NO Woodward fan but he’s a career .245 hitter, not a .215 hitter. No, it’s not great but significantly better than what you quoted.

By SR

July 27, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this

Look, I am not going to get into any, if they trade this player, and if they do this and yada, yada, yada.

I live here in San Francisco. Been following the Giants this year and many years, but born and raised in Atlanta and a life-long Braves fan.

The fact of the matter is, this team (the Giants) is a bad team, has been this year and last year. There is a reason they are in LAST PLACE looking up at the freakin’ Rockies for crying out loud yet the Braves barely split with them in this series. Hell, they coulda lost 3 out of 4!!

Anyone notice how many 2 out hits the stinkin Giants had and how few the Braves had? Anyone notice the Braves hitters flailing away at the crap the Giants bullpen was throwing them? You gotta take 3 out of 4 from this team, especially after taking the first 2. To not have done so and to look so dead the last 2 games speaks volumes about this team, the same team I might add that was swept not too long ago by the Cincinnatti Reds.

By Wayne in Utah

July 27, 2007 12:33 AM | Link to this

Overlord and Todd A.

I seem to recall about 45 minutes ago calling a truce. I was going to skip your posts, and you were going to skip mine. I did see my name bolded three times in the past 20 minutes. I scrolled past guys, sorry. Not sure what you said, to be honest, I don’t care. Not interested.

Let’s please follow the rules of disengagement.

By flbravesgirl

July 27, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

chrisklob & Savannah Guy, great posts. I wholeheartedly support the registration idea. The unpleasantness on here in recent weeks is why I post so rarely now & a lot of other familiar names seem to be doing the same or leaving altogether.

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 12:48 AM | Link to this

Does anyone knows anything about cormier? maybe he could be used in the bullpen as a fresh and more experienced arm. If he is doing better that is.

By Kentavo

July 27, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this

I don’t know why the Braves would want Andruw next year. Haven’t they had enough? I have. It’s time to move on. Andruw hasn’t brought any championships to Atlanta and he never will. He’s not that type of player. And Cox, I respect him for managing the personalities and egos, but his game decisions are beyond dumb. What other manager would stick with a .215 hitter at cleanup? Not even the Royals would do this. Cox is like a bad corporate, bureaucratic manager - he just sticks people in situations regardless of whether they’re good at it. I can’t stand when he literally throws away games by trotting out a lineup, like today without Chipper and Edgar. Play Edgar for Christsakes, put Yunel at 3rd and have Kelly at 2nd - it doesn’t take a rocket scientist. Yes, it is a long season, but a win in July counts the same as a win in September. They all add up.

By KC

July 27, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

I gotta tell ya… with all the talk about Tex coming to Atlanta… it would be quite the kick in the nuts if the Braves aren’t able/willing to deal for him. Kinda like telling a kid on Christmas eve that you forgot to buy presents this year.

By KC

July 27, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this

I’m not an “Insider”… anyone know what Buster Olney had to day about the Tex-to -Atlanta possibility? I’m sure it’s nothing we haven’t already heard, but I was just curious.

By Hermione

July 27, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this

you can find out about braves minor leaguers stats from the Braves website. Go to “Roster” and select minor league affiliates. Then go to the individual teams stats page.

Come on smart guys, show some initiative!

By reddawg

July 27, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this

Andrew needs to go to the American League where they can use a designated hitter for him ……….. most any pitcher would be an improvement at the plate.

By Ron

July 27, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this

ESPN’s Keith Law fielded a question earlier today concerning the potential Saltalamacchia/Teixeira deal:

Shar (Durham): Your thoughts on the Teixeira/Salty deal? Is it worth it to give up Salty, Davies/Harrison, and Andrus for Tex and a lefty reliever??

Keith Law: It’s a very win-now move for Atlanta. I think Texas gets more value in that deal if Harrison is the arm. Now, I say that as someone who thinks Saltalamacchia (sal-tuh-luh-MAK-ee-uh) won’t stay behind the plate because of his size. If I’m wrong and he does end up a catcher, it’s a heist for Texas.

And yet just go ahead and give up the farm for Tex, when he aint gonna help us WIN a Championship anyway!!! Thats the MAIN goal is Winning a Championship NOT just getting to the World Series!!! We have done that too many times!!! I might like the deal better IF we did not have to include Elvis!!! But if Elvis is in that deal, then JS you just got SCREWED AGAIN!!!

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 1:02 AM | Link to this

KC if the deal doesnt happen i think it will just be that…. it didnt happen. The reason could be the price rangers ask and if its too high, i dont see the reason to pull the trigger. JS will do his work. I think braves need to start thinking about saving money to sign some top pitcher soon cause smoltz doesnt have more than 2 more seasons at best.

By KC

July 27, 2007 1:04 AM | Link to this

SI.com: “Young, Nats nearing $10M, 2-year extension”

What the hell is Jim Bowden (the Nats’ GM) smoking??!! If in fact an extension means Young stays in Washington… this would be an idiotic move.

Why do the Nats insist on holding on to these valuable trade pieces. They could have gotten a stud prospect for Soriano last year, and they could get a solid prospect now for Young.

Veterans can’t help this team. They’re several years away from winning. They need young talent. Holding on to Young would be asinine. They should absolutely trade him for the best young player they can get.

Speaking of idiotic moves… I really hate to use a word like “idiotic” in the same sentence as Bobby Cox… I respect the man greatly and think he’s been one of the best managers of our era. However, your best hitter is out with injury, and you pick TONIGHT to give your second best hitter the night off???!!!!!!

By Wayne in Utah

July 27, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this

KC: You know, on the one hand, I would like to see Tex in a Braves uni. BUT, on the other hand, is a first baseman what we need the most. I like a lot of our young relievers on the farm, but I see a reluctance to use them.

We could certainly use a clutch bat. The top of the lineup has been great: KJ, Renteria, Chipper, Escobar, and at times, Willie. The biggest black hole has been Andruw. He should have 100 RBI’s by now. The back side of the lineup has been good. Frenchy, McCann and Diaz (and KJ when batting lower) are doing well. The biggest thing missing is the consistent cleanup hitter.

If we do not make the playoffs, I lay the blame squarely on AJ’s shoulders. While at times the rotation and the bullpen have faltered, they have been pretty good for a majority of the year. Think of what an extra 30 runs would have done for us this year.

Tex fills the bill. BUT, we might regret it in 2009.

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this

Thanks hermione you are very kind, ill go and check.

By P-Town Brave

July 27, 2007 1:06 AM | Link to this

DOB

We would all feel much better if you told us that Tex just sat down to order some rattlesnake bites in Phoenix…

Oh…and Bryant’s BBQ is overrated!

By KC

July 27, 2007 1:08 AM | Link to this

Hermione: Another good way to check minor league stats is at this link: www.minorleaguebaseball.com

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this

KC i recommend you not to talk about cox in this blog, thing are to tense here because of that and because braves cant find a way to win.

Friends advice.

By Savannah Guy

July 27, 2007 1:13 AM | Link to this

chrisklob Yes the Braveheart RROE idea was an issue that Braveheart and I both had mostly agreements, with some minor (yet loud) disagreements, of which I voiced without meaning to discount his original idea. We then unfortunately proceeded to verbally “duke it out” and wound up…the next day, agreeing on most everything. You might say we were in “violent agreement” most of the time through the colorful debate. I think I may have had a few too many myself, otherwise it would’ve been a non-issue.

Since you brought it up, I’ll also say that Braveheart was man enough to admit the folly of his argument in his “condition”. Since he’s not here to blush, I’ll go ahead and say…he’s a smart and good guy that was big enough to apologize and hold out the hand. For the record since he isn’t here to defend: he just got a bit wacky on some medicine he was taking that didn’t agree with the booze.

Anyway, rules are fine. They are good. I pointed this out before I believe. Rules are like soft, informal laws for reasonable, self-moderating people. Trouble is, usually it’s the jerks that break the rules and criminals that break the laws or ignore them altogether. The good folks, who naturally follow rules, even if the rules didn’t exist, do so just because they are decent people. Again, the problem is not with the folks that follow rules or possess social grace or abide by a modicum of civility.

So, now that we agree, I guess someone has to do something. Maybe draft an “ideas for a sustainable, unbridled yet respectable and fun sports blog” outline. It’s a brave new world. Is there such a thing as a controlled blog, even if loose? Should it be? Might be very difficult. This is why I think IT/Accountability solves most problems without expecting too many to follow rules. But…deserves some thought. Your thoughts, Chris? DOB thoughts? Anyone? Volunteers?

By KC

July 27, 2007 1:15 AM | Link to this

Ron: I don’t think trading Salty for Tex constitutes “giving up the farm”.

And to tell you the truth, I think we should try to get the players necessary to make a legitimate World Series push here over the next couple of years.

I think Smoltz will probably be around more than another season or two… but he may not be a legit ace for more than another season or two after this. Smoltz is the most prolific post-season pitcher in baseball history. If we don’t put the pieces around him to make abother true WS run… we’re wasting this opportunity.

Keep in mind that we also have Chipper at the top of his game. How much longer? With the way his body breaks down… how much longer before his skills begin to diminish?

Now is the time. Let’s do whatever we can to make a WS run this year, and next year.

I think that means trading for Tex and at least one quality reliever.

By tommyhawk2393

July 27, 2007 1:16 AM | Link to this

Back to the Tex/Salty/miscellaneous others deal. As much as I would like to Salty stay in Atlanta, he deserves an everyday spot somewhere. He has way too much talent and upside to split time with the likes of Franco, Woodward, and Thorman playing a poxition at which he is not yet comfortable. However, our problem has never been a lack of good hitters, it’s that our good prospects and newcomers all play taken positions. At the beginning of the season, Willie came up to play left field, where Mattie was already hitting everything from his shoetops to his cap bill and Ryan made our defensive outfield frightening. We have since fixed that problem by trading Ryan. Then Salty came up to play catcher, where All-Star Brian McCann is locked in until 2012. He has shown flashes of brilliance at the plate, but we haven’t seen enough of him because there is apparently some lack of confidence in him as a first baseman. However, he has become a highly touted prospect, if as much for his record-setting fourteen-letter surname as much as his play, but if his newfound popularity can get us a bat like Mark Teixeira to make up for Andruw’s off year, I’m okay with that. At least we won’t be suppressing his talent anymore. Also, Yunel Escobar came up to play middle infield, where young stud Kelly Johnson was already tearing up the batter’s box and Edgar Renteria was arguably our most consistent player. Sadly, it is possible that Edgar will be shipped for rotation help in an attempt to appease another rising star.

By P-Town Brave

July 27, 2007 1:19 AM | Link to this

Ron

What the hell difference does it make to this year whether we include Elvis or not?? If Tex isn’t going to win us a title, he certainly isn’t! Besides, we’d get another reliever too in the deal (which I believe is the holdup) and that would significantly help our pen if its Gagne, Wilson, or Benoit!

Without a doubt, we need another bat…Smoltz and Chipper aren’t getting any younger and neither are Cox and Schuerholz…What do you want them to do Ron, sit on their hands for another two years and retire and have done nothing?! Great statement Ron! Tex not helping win us a championship?!

Take Julio out of that lineup, insert Tex in the 4 spot and tell me that isn’t the best hitting team in the NL…who else would be better I ask?! That being said, if we score anymore than 3 runs for Chuck, Buddy, or Jo-Jo then we can hang w/ anyone’s staff and that is THAT and grabbing Tex will help in that department…

Remember all those times that Druw struck out or hit into a DP w/ RISP…Well insert Tex in the 4 spot and he is .338 w/ RISP and has only hit into 3 DP’s…he is also a great cluth player as his close/late splits are outstanding!

I just think the time to win is now!

By Wayne in Utah

July 27, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this

Savannah Guy: I would like to know if it is possible? When I visit AJC.com, it recognizes my email address and knows who I am. Could we just lock the “Name” field to whatever we use at a certain point in time.

Say, next time I log in, if I change my screen name to Clemson Dude then I would be Clemson Dude EVERY time I log in.

At least that would keep the idiots from multiplying.

By Savannah Guy

July 27, 2007 1:26 AM | Link to this

* flbravesgirl* Thanks…but don’t leave. This forum needs your voice. It’ll improve.

Although after these last two philosophical, soap box posts of mine I admit that I am not only way past bed, but getting a bit presumptuous. It is afterall, Dave’s blog. His call, his rules, his prerogative.

Just trying to help I guess. Or point out a few ideas…whatever. It’s worth making better. Just hard-wired that way I suppose.

By Wayne in Utah

July 27, 2007 1:40 AM | Link to this

An Orangcicle Shake from Carl’s Jr sounds good right now! (or is that Hardee’s in the south?)

By Jared

July 27, 2007 1:42 AM | Link to this

Ken Rosenthal says the Braves have gone all-in and have offered Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Matt Harrison and Elvis Andrus for just Mark Teixeira. He says the offer will not be beat.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7065740

By Blake

July 27, 2007 1:45 AM | Link to this

Rosenthal has a new article at Fox Sports. It appears the deal is Salty/Elvis/Harrison for Tex only

By P-Town Brave

July 27, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this

Here’s my thoughts as posted on BravesShow.com:

The only reason I can see this happening is if there’s something else going on w/ us on the pitching front…

Maybe moving Escobar or someone else for either a starter or starter and reliever

That being said, its a win situation for us if we make the playoffs and compete for the World Series

OR

If Harrison and Andrus turn out to be complete busts!

Otherwise, I’d still like to hold out hope for either Benoit or Wilson

Other than that, maybe we should break out the beer and the champagne..well, for everyone except Willie…

This would be our biggest trade since the mega-splash that landed us the Crime Dawg in 93.

By Blake

July 27, 2007 1:49 AM | Link to this

sorry for repost

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this

WELL AT LEAST THE SERIAL BUNTER DAX HAS NOT SHOWN UP. FOR ALL OTHER KNOLEDGEABLE FANS. this is why we have always lost girlfriends, we have passion. we would rather b*** about the braves than what goes better with a good bottle of pinot. go to dinner somewhere if the game aint on at the bar we aint going. this being said, starting pitching has been great lately. problem is i hate to say it is no consistency from 25. we must get tex and go for it. get five runs a game and see what happens. right now our stating pitching has been outstanding. another thing wllie aint been so hot at leadoff. he has forgot how to take a pitch. but then again he is what he is. just like walt weis when he hit .340 and made all star game in first half. though he did make one of the greatest plays at short with baseloaded against the astros. anybody remeber that game. hampton started against and jordan drove in four runs.

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 2:00 AM | Link to this

jarred what do u think of that trade proposal? Isnt it too much for one player? well, JS knows better, hope we dont regret it. And as PT brave says, if this is the case, there must be something going on that we dont know about on a pitcher or 2, because if we dont get at least an arm, why get rid of top prospects if not aiming for something very big.

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 2:02 AM | Link to this

blake, this is why u have to make this trade hudson has only one more year left. get tex for this year and his option year. cox one plus year. go for it. andruw as much as i luv him aint commin back. two year window. smoltz aint gettin younger. lets go for it.

By A-ville Ranger

July 27, 2007 2:07 AM | Link to this

I consider this a successful series.Blow up Barry is no closer to Aaron than when the Braves arrived in town.

By Salty Dawg

July 27, 2007 2:10 AM | Link to this

Typically good defense? Have you even seen Andruw play this year?

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 2:11 AM | Link to this

I just think the tex act alone aint gonna do it.

Hope chipper is ready to go against dbacks.

Cormier apparently is doing better at AAA. What about trying him again? at least in the bullpen.

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 2:12 AM | Link to this

am i the only guy on this post that thinks mccann is a below average defensive catcher. i really like the guy. BUT HIS FOOTWORK BEHIND THE PLATE NOT REAL GOOD. BY THE WAY HE LEADS THE NL IN PAST BALLS.

By Jared

July 27, 2007 2:13 AM | Link to this

blake, this is why u have to make this trade hudson has only one more year

Hudson is signed through the end of the 2009 season with an option for 2010.

By Amos Young

July 27, 2007 2:17 AM | Link to this

To hell with Andrew. He’s good in the field but I’m sure we can come up with another fleet center fielder that can hit 200 like Andrew. Go all out to get Tex.

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 2:20 AM | Link to this

NEXT GAMES 10 GAMES ARE PIVOTAL. WE GET LUCKY MISS BRANDON WEBB. TIME TO GE MORE COSISTENT OFFENSIVELY. FOR ALL YOU STAT PEOPLE WE ARE IN THE TOP THREE IN KS AND LOB. # 1 IN KS MARLINS #1 LOB PHILLIES

By Ron

July 27, 2007 2:29 AM | Link to this

If JS makes that deal, JUST for Tex, then NOBODY better call him a genius GM AGAIN!!! Him being a GENIUS GM is OVER!!! I hope yall like that trade fellows!!! P-Town Brave Just in case Escobar FLOPS as a Major leaguer, WE have a backup plan!!! I like Lillibridge, BUT he is about 23 or 24 years old!!! Elvis is not even 20 yet!!! Thats why the hell Im not including him in the deal!!!

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 2:30 AM | Link to this

I REALY THINK WE ARE ABOUT TO TRADE THE WRONG CATCHER. but i think in the short term we have to go for it. only if texieria wants to be here. though mcann is good major league catcher I REALLY THINK WE ARE ABOUT TO TRADE AWAY JOHNNY BENCH.

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 2:30 AM | Link to this

OK, so let’s use your reasoning, chrisklob. No player without prior Major League experience and success should ever make the ballclub out of spring training. Fine, Buddy Carlyle went 8 years between wins…but Lance Cormier was hurt, Mark Redman was throwing a baseball in his basement all spring, and Kyle Davies was horrendous last season. Carlyle was one of the last cuts, so they obviously considered that he was an option. They made the incorrect decision.

Moylan showed flashes last season of being an excellent reliever. Pitched well in spring training.

Willie Harris had an awesome spring. He also had the ability to play the infield and the outfield. And he had speed, something the team lacked. Instead, we kept Pete Orr and Chris Woodward. Orr had a horrible season last year. Woodward also had a horrible season last year. Willie Harris, for all his detractors, was a .262 career hitter with speed. Woodward has a lower career average. Peter Orr…I am not really sure what his talent is…besides being a ‘great teammate’ according to Cox.

Cont’

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 2:32 AM | Link to this

Cont’

Regading Escobar…do you think keeping Woodward over Escobar had anything to do with the fact that Woodward was signed to a pretty substantial free agent contract and the braintrust did not want to cut him in spring training?

Facts are facts. Carlyle, Moylan, Harris, and Escobar looked great in the spring. They were all left off the roster. Bad decisions. Don’t need a crystal ball.

By Ron

July 27, 2007 2:33 AM | Link to this

P-Town Brave Well IF you think BC will KEEP Andruw OUT of the Cleanup spot, then I believe you are wrong!!! I hope he would be moved from the Cleanup spot, but I know how BC is!!!

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 2:36 AM | Link to this

HEY JARED U ARE WRONG ABOUT HUDSON, THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR PLUS ONE MORE. THAN THE ELEVATOR OPTION. READ THE BOOK

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 2:38 AM | Link to this

I love the idea of two blogs. We can call one the “Braves Beat/MIB Blog”. We can call the other “I Love It When the Braves are Mediocre/BC & JS Never Make a Bad Decision Blog”.

I love people that think if you criticize the Braves, you should not be on the blog. Fans love to commiserate about teams playing poorly, it is part of being a fan. Look at Cubs fans and Red Sox fans (up until a few years ago). Losing and complaining is part of being a fan. I rooted for the Braves through the wilderness years in the 80’s and I will always root for them, but I will still complain when Chipper and Edgar are rested on the same night when the Braves are in a pennant race.

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 2:47 AM | Link to this

BRAVE-DAVE U ARE A GOOD FAN SALTY OR MAC LONG TERM

By Jared

July 27, 2007 2:52 AM | Link to this

No uga-brave, you’re wrong. Hudson signed a four year EXTENSION in 2005. He already had 2005 locked up, so the four years covers 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. There is an option for 2010.

Rotoworld: Tim Hudson

CONTRACT INFO: 03/01/05: Signed four-year, $47 million extension w/2010 option. 2007: $6 million, 2008: $13 million, 2009: $13 million, 2010: $12 million club option w/$1 million buyout, 2011: Free Agent

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_contract.aspx?sport=MLB&id=2812

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 2:53 AM | Link to this

SO ITS ALWAYS BOBBYS FAULT. NOT WHEN KELLY AND FRENCHY STRIKE OUT IN KEY SITUATIONS.

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 3:01 AM | Link to this

JARED I MIGHT STAND CORRECTED IF U ARE RIGHT TY MY BAD.

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 3:09 AM | Link to this

UGA…that is the question of the year. McCann or Salty. I love McCann, although I am a little disappointed with his performance this season (which I have mentioned a lot on the blog…and gotten ripped). I think he has a great approach at the plate. He should always be close to a .300 hitter with his approach, should hit 20 HRs a year and drive in 80-90. That is great for a catcher. Unfortunately, his defense has been terrible this season. I think Salty is much better defensively and has a much better arm.

Cont’

By Soul Man

July 27, 2007 3:12 AM | Link to this

Uga-brave

No you are wrong about Hudson b!tch! Now keep pulling for those loser Dawgs.

Savannah Guy

Quit salivating over the women in here. You’re pretty pathetic. Your posts are stupid, not the least bit funny.

Chris Klob, N8, Todd A.

What can I say. You are all idiots. This blog would be much better without you. Maybe Shaun can back that up with evidence from some of your posts in the past.

Also, it is not impressive to brag about your drinking habits on here. Grow up guys, you would think you were all teenagers, just getting out of high school. I have noticed the “veterans” doing this especially.

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 3:14 AM | Link to this

Cont’

I do not think Salty will ever be a Pujols-type player. I think he will strike out a bit, maybe eventually develop high 20s HR power, but I don’t think he will be a .300 hitter. I would be happy if the Braves would keep him and move him to 1B. It does not look like the Braves want to move him, so I say trade him. I just like that fact that McCann has always looked like a professional hitter, while Salty sometimes does not. Keep McCann.

People might criticize me for having Pujols as my commparison, but we are talking about Salty like he is going to be amazing. I haven’t seen it. With most great players, you see it immediately. We saw it with Chipper. He may have hit only .265 as a rookie, but you could tell he knew how to hit. I don’t get the same feeling with Salty. I think he will be a good, solid major leaguer.

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 3:21 AM | Link to this

I think Salty will be another Francouer. Not a bad thing, but not a superstar thing. Remember Ryan Howard and Jeff Francouer both hit the majors in midseason 2005? The debate was about who was better, Howard was 1st in the ROY balloting, Francouer 3rd. Well look at how Howard has developed vs. how Francouer has developed. Both were highly touted prospects. Both arrived with fanfare and great statistics. Now, Howard is an unstoppable force, and Francouer is a decent player. Not a great average hitter, not a great power hitter. Bad mechanics. Good run producer. But Ryan Howard could be an all-timer.

I think Salty will be Francouer rather than Ryan Howard.

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 3:24 AM | Link to this

brave dave we are about to trade the best hitter i have seen stand at the plate since chipper. his plate presence is second to none.

By Coach (Pitching , Pitching , Pitching , Stupid !)

July 27, 2007 3:29 AM | Link to this

By BravesDave

July 26, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

Man, Francoeur just got waxed by Lincecum. Francouer is hopeless against a good fastball these days.

The Braves are not going to score against Lincecum in this game. They are going to end this series with 1 run against the Giants last two starters. 7:57 P.M. Funny…then Francouer hits a HR on a hanging breaking ball and Joe Simpson says “Francouer has always been able to turn around a fastball”. Humorous. Nice job by Frenchy, though. I didn’t think the Braves would score against this guy……… Dude your the one that is funny , your a one man comedy show , keep up the great work !

By Serbok

July 27, 2007 3:34 AM | Link to this

I have TRIED to stay impartial with Bobby, I have criticized him in the past! There was a streak of about 4-6 weeks where he really surprised me~ and I gave due credit on this blog for his “turnaround”? Bobby has gone back to being Bobby~ I honestly think he doesnt really have a clue! I mean, C’mon thorman and woodward? He sits players after they have had good games the night b4? I:E harris? The guy has lost it!! I agree with the poster who said he is an excellent clubhouse mgr! He really Sux when it comes to crunch time! It’s just absolutely ridiculous! We do not NEED TEX!! We need Salty at 1b! I have declared this team could do it without trades! However, I did not see the BP meltdown. If they would play Salty at 1b~ we only need to trade for a reliever? Granted Salty is no TEX~ Julio is NO TEX! Thorman is no Salty! Indeed common sense has gone way past Bobby:o( He is just totally ridiculous! The end of 2008 will be time to celebrate!!! as Our illustrious Bobby~ and the IDIOT GW bush will be history!!!!!!! Bobby Cox Does NOT belong in the HOF

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 3:37 AM | Link to this

brave dave we spink to the choir. francouer is a lunger at this point. he will never be a 30 guy unless he lets the ball to come to him. too agressive at this point. but salty will be really good. he just really looks good at the plate. dont happen often.

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 3:38 AM | Link to this

UGA - I think Salty swings at too many balls out of the zone. Chipper knows the strike zone. Always has. Salty is a huge presence in the box, but he is vulnerable to pitches in the dirt when hitting righty, and vulnerable to high fastballs when hitting lefty. He does not yet have a great grasp of the strike zone. Strikeouts have plagued him…he struck out once every 4 at-bats in his minor league career. Chipper only struck out about once every 8 at-bats during his minor league career…and he walked almost as much.

Salty needs a lot of maturation. Even Francoeur only struck out once every 6 at-bats in the minors…and hit for a higher average than Salty.

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 3:42 AM | Link to this

hey seof bobby is the best mgr in the mgr leagues. period.

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 3:44 AM | Link to this

What was funny, Coach? Francoeur struck out on 4 pitches in his first at-bat. He got waxed and looked ugly. He came back and hit a HR in his second at-bat and I gave him credit. I admitted that I was wrong about the Braves not scoring against Lincecum. Of course, they only scored 2 runs. So what was so funny??? Did we lose because of the bullpen again today, Coach? Or did we lose because we only scored 2 runs? Which is it? Let me guess, we lost because Buddy Carlyle had the nerve to give up 4 runs and our CONSISTENT OFFENSE didn’t hit the average of 4.5 runs a game to pull out the victory by a half a run.

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 3:51 AM | Link to this

i agree with u dave but i would love to give him a chance. this is what happens with a hancuffed payroll. u end up trading talent for promise. i still think mac is lazy behind the plate. not great footwork

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 3:58 AM | Link to this

brave dave is right no consistent o. all those games the bullpen lost coulda been changed by a run or few. starting pitching has been oustanding. knock out a starter for a change.

By David O'Brien

July 27, 2007 4:00 AM | Link to this

UGA-Brave, just got back from North Beach and saw this post from you:

“I REALY THINK WE ARE ABOUT TO TRADE THE WRONG CATCHER. … though mcann is good major league catcher I REALLY THINK WE ARE ABOUT TO TRADE AWAY JOHNNY BENCH”

Uh, yeah. There’s certainly a lot to support that statement. McCann had a bad (by his standards) first half and was still elected to the All-Star Game by other NL players, and he has 24 doubles, 11 homers and 57 RBIs with about 60 games left, and he’s really just started to rake in the last month or so. Just terrible.

Career average over .300, two-time All-Star at 23, six-year contract that’s probably going to be way below market value in a couple years … yeah, he should be traded instead of Salty, who’s hit .284 with six doubles, four homers and 12 RBIs in 141 major league at-bats.

Oh, but I forget, Salty won the Arizona Fall League batting title. Nevermind that McCann was in the running for the NL freakin’ batting title last season until the last month of his first full season in the majors!

Let me know when Salty hits .333 with 24 homers and 93 RBIs in 130 games — in his first full season in the majors. Send me an e-mail to remind me how you told me he’d do that, after Salty does it next year.

It’s just amazing how much stock a few of you put in players who are unproven, and how quickly you jump off the bandwagon of guys who are productive major league players and only 23. You trash Francoeur on the day he hits a two-run homer that accounts for the Braves’ only offense, and makes a great throw to the cutoff man to nail a guy at home.

Francouer’s hitting .294 with 24 doubles, 11 homers and team-high 68 RBIs, but you sit and pooh-pooh him like he’s some pathetic player who can’t hit a fastball. Ludicrous. What scout told you he couldn’t hit a fastball? Are did you just watch him and come to that conclusion? Do you even have a clue what you’re watching? Seriously.

The crush on Salty, I mean, it’s beyond logic. I think Salty’s going to be a damn fine player. I really do. Really good dude, too. Smart kid, mature. But I don’t know that he’ll ever have an offensive season like the one McCann’s already had, and McCann did that while playing half the year hurt in 2006, and spending time on the DL.

Francoeur, he’s raised his average about 40 points in his second full season, made huge strides as a hitter, and you somehow turn that into, he’s taken a step back. What on earth are you watching? A guy hits fewer homers and all of a sudden he can’t hit? That’s beyond the pale, that absurd criticism. He’s a much better hitter this year than he was. Much better. And he’s 23, dude. 23. Francoeur and McCann are only a year older than Salty.

Salty was hitting .230 with nine homers and 39 RBIs last season in Double-A, but that’s all forgotten, dismissed because he was hurt or whatever. But yet, McCann’s injuries, which didn’t prevent him from hitting 24 homers and hitting 3-freaking-34 last year and having 35 extra-base hits and 57 RBIs this year, his injuries aren’t an excuse, apparently. Not like Salty’s in Double-A.

Again, I think Salty’s going to be a fine player. McCann already is, and he’s a year older. Salty’s had less than 150 at-bats in the majors, and you’ve never seen him play before those at-bats, but you sit and call him the next Johnny Bench. Hasn’t hit 20 homers in a season yet in pro ball, and he’s the next Johnny Bench. A .273 average in four minor league seasons before this year, and he’s the next Johnny Bench.

Astounding.

I’m going to bed. You need to take a reality pill.

Or read some of this Charles Bukowski book I bought tonight at City Lights Bookstore, “Love Is a Dog From Hell.” Something to temper your over-the-top praise for a still-unproven young catcher and provide some clarity.

But I do love the passion and the late-night blogging. Don’t take my critique personally, bro.

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 4:00 AM | Link to this

Well, UGA, if we trade Salty for Teixeira, it will be trading promise for talent. Tex has pretty well proven his skills in the majors. I don’t think Salty has yet.

I agree about McCann behind the plate. His defense has been abysmal. Maybe it is the nagging injuries. I don’t remember him being as bad last season.

By Double Deuce

July 27, 2007 4:05 AM | Link to this

I thought this blog was for Braves fans. How can anyone that watched these last two games come away with any other impression that we ran into two of the best young arms in the NL? Noah Lowery is Tom Glavine all over again and pitched a masterful game against the Braves. Giants have won 40 games and he has won 10…no slouch there folks. Give the guy his due. Pitched great, beat us, Game over. Tim Lincecum is absolutely filthy and proved it today. If he stays healthy he will be a dominant force in the NL for years to come. We got beat by two good young arms. Is it the end of the season? For some of you it is. But for those who understand the game, it is just what it is. Running into two good young arms at home. If you are a fan of the game of baseball it was great to watch. For the rest of you get a hardhat because the sky is falling.

By Serbok

July 27, 2007 4:08 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is the MOST fortunate manager in the major leagues! He Hit the friggin lottery! He does not understand how to manage in post season. Reason being, is he doesnt have forever to win? It has to be won in the NOW! He cannot go with his “heartstrings” in playoff ball! He has to go with correct moves! Now If anyone can tell me, that playing woodward in a post season game makes any sense~ please explain? Brian Jordan is a perfect example? He!! I woulda rather seen Orr in that post season than Jordan! My goodness gracious! How can anyone!!!!! agree that the lineup tonight was the best lineup that BC had at his disposal? Time IS running out? There isnt anymore time for Bobby’s Follies? First time I found this blog~ I read Robert’s posts!! I was pleasently surprised that there was someone who actually saw Bobby for what he really is. I then proceeded to play “in my mind” devil’s advocate and give Cox the benefit of the doubt. Robert IS Correct!! I have been a braves fan since the 60’s WE will not win the WS this year! Nor any year! untill Cox is gone! Hell~ we couldnt do it with Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, and I’m sure i’m forgetting other pitchers who we had that were better than we have today? Cox couldnt win a WS with: Palmer, Mcnally,Cuellar and Dobson! Cox needs to take a physical? Sumpins not right in his head! does NOT belong in the HOF! Just my opinion of course~

By Serbok

July 27, 2007 4:15 AM | Link to this

Last post for now:o) Where would the Braves be in the standings Right Now? If management (JS included) Had not screwed up like they have? Players who didnt deserve to be playing? Moves in late innings that were ridiculous? This team has the talent to make it to the playoffs! As they are now!!!!!! Tex is not going to make up for Bobby’s managing! Waht 5-6? games with Julio at first? Renteria sitting? while Chipper sits? C’mon~ the moves that have been made are absolutely Incredulous! EVERY game is Important! Even the first game of the season? For those who think we have a Prob with SP? Nevermind!

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 4:24 AM | Link to this

hey DOB GIVE ME MCANNS MINOR LEAGUE NUMBERS. IT AIINT ABOUT WHAT HE DID ITS ABOUT WHAT HE WILL DO. THX FOR RESPONDING THOUGH. MAKES ME THINNK IM IMPORTANT. CMON DAVE WHO IS GOIN TO BETTER. PLUS CHEAPE

By Train Wreck Bystander

July 27, 2007 4:27 AM | Link to this

Man, it was a veritable Troll Fest in here last night.

Look at the bright side of things, grasshoppers:

(1) Bonds didn’t get a homer off of us, despite being challenged at the plate. You have no idea how pleased I am with this.

(2) We did manage a split with the G-Men, and are still, somehow, only 4 games behind the Mets.

It’s not all doon and glooom out there.

By Luke

July 27, 2007 4:32 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is the man, I’m gonna be proud the day he wins the ejection record, and he knows his baseball far better than most(he’s been doing it since the time of Jesus).

I love Andruw but his weight and his contract keep inflating and his defense and ability to contribute seem to be decreasing. Anybody see the ESPN article about how he’s over-rated. Willie Harris is what Andruw was before we went to his head. An excellent defensive outfielder, a great hitter(not a slugger, a hitter), and an excellent runner.

Trading the future for the present is going to get us nowhere. We shouldn’t try to afford either. We should stick with our group of young guns, let Andruw play left and pinch hit(it’s working for Bonds, right? And he gets to stay in Atlanta) and his failing defense doesn’t hurt us. I know a lot of people are hating on Franco right now and he’s certainly not a long term plan either but he’s 8 million cheaper than Texeira and he won’t be asking for more any time soon. He’s a good choice for the post-season because he can catch in pressure situations(experience).

My opinion: Move Andruw, his production is dropping and his defense isn’t what it once was. Install Harris in his place, and as lead-off man. Keep Chipper, you can’t trade Chipper. Renteria is an excellent short-stop, along with Johnson it’s a great middle infield. Keep Franco at 1st for this season, let Salty/Thorman get experience behind him. Convert Salty if necessary. Or maybe have him realize catching once every 4-5 days and playing a little 1st isn’t that bad for being in the big leagues. Drop Woodward(obviously).

Roll with this rotation. Toss Paronto and Yates. Wickman’s on the way out, maybe he’ll give us some magic between now and then. Remember Gonzalez. Find some more relievers for next season(some lefties would be nice.)

Now, we have a cohesive team with a good rotation and a grand infield. If we can get over our Jones infatuation, we’ve got a great outfield too. All we need are some relievers. As our young players continue to mature(Francouer, hopefully Salty at 1st) we’ll get hitting and keep the defense. We just gotta get rid of Hampton.

By uga-brave

July 27, 2007 4:32 AM | Link to this

CANT PLAY THE BOYS EVERY NIGHT LAY OFF COX. THEY HAVE TO HAVE OTHER CONTRIBUTORS. IT IS WHAT IT IS AN AVERAGE TEAM. PLENTY OF OPPURTUNITIES TO WIN GAMES, JUST DONT HIT WHEN IT MATTERS. THRID IN LEAGUE WITH RUNNES LOB.

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 4:42 AM | Link to this

DOB, I agree that Francoeur is a solid player at age 23. I think it is an accomplishment that he has raised his average significantly this season. I hope that he can get his power back and maintain the average in the future. As I said, he is a solid run producer.

On the other hand, I have seen him swing through so many fastballs this season. I think his desire to improve hitting the breaking ball has caused him to regress a bit on the fastball. I don’t profess to be a scout, but I don’t miss more than a few games a season and I have seen nearly every Francoeur at-bat this season (either live or TIVO’d). Last night’s game was a perfect microcosm…did not make any solid contact with a fastball, but crushed a hanging breaking ball.

By Coach (Pitching , Pitching , Pitching , Stupid !)

July 27, 2007 5:01 AM | Link to this

Dave , duuuu , dave ! The Braves scored two runs because they got beat by G-R-E-A-T Pitching from the Giants starter and bullpen. Great pitching will beat great hitting everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. The Mets have been in sole possesion of first place since May 16th. We are 29-35 in that 64 game span since the 16th of May while scoring 292 runs. The Mets are 33-30 in that same time span while scoring 269 runs. We have outscored the Mets and lost ground. We need pitching , not Mark Teixeira. The Mets pitching has given up 283 runs while the Braves pitching has given up 299 runs. I could go on all damn day long with the numbers and they would all add up to the same freaking thing. The Braves need more pitching !

By We Have Mets the Enemy

July 27, 2007 5:04 AM | Link to this

Sorry, Dave, but Coach has already crowned Saltalamacchia as the next Johnny Bench, and Coach is right 90 percent of the time. Right, Coach?

By the way, Dave, where were you with this cyberspace b!tch-slapping a month ago when Coach first spouted off with his “next Johnny Bench” crap?

By BravesDave

July 27, 2007 5:18 AM | Link to this

OK, Coach, so every time the Braves score 2 runs or less, we will claim that they were beat by G-R-E-A-T pitching…even when it is Jason Bergmann, or Matt Chico, or Oliver Perez, or Kason Gabbard, or Jamie Moyer, or Adam Eaton, or Rich Hill, or Kevin Slowey, or Carlos Silva, or Julian Tavarez, or Bobby Livingston. Every time it is G-R-E-A-T pitching, rather than poor offense.

I guess the Braves should get out there and acquire Matt Chico. He pitched great against the Braves a few times this season. Maybe he is the missing cog to get this team over the hump. Or maybe it is Julian Tavarez. Or maybe we get an All-Star caliber hitter to juice this offense so it can stop getting shut down by garbage pitchers.

Your stats are meaningless once again.

By Coach (Pitching , Pitching , Pitching , Stupid !)

July 27, 2007 5:23 AM | Link to this

By We Have Mets the Enemy

July 27, 2007 5:04 AM | Link to this

Sorry, Dave, but Coach has already crowned Saltalamacchia as the next Johnny Bench, and Coach is right 90 percent of the time. Right, Coach? You got a problem with comparison’s ? How about , Jarrod Saltalamacchia is the next Mark Teixeira , like that one ? Or Salty is the next Brian McCann , no wait , McCann isn’t nearly as athletic as Salty. C’mon name the last power hitting , switch hitting , rifle armed catching prospect in baseball history ? NEWS FLASH Jughead , there has never been one before. So , yea , salty will eventually be traded , preferrably for pitching.

By Brad

July 27, 2007 6:24 AM | Link to this

DOB, I read on fannation.com that the Yankees are shopping Damon & have offered him to the Braves (asking for too much, of course). Any info?

By Coach (Pitching , Pitching , Pitching , Stupid !)

July 27, 2007 6:44 AM | Link to this

My stats are meaningless , but baseball stats are not. My stats are baseball stats. Dave , your great at talking nonsense , keep up the great work , I’m laughing as I type !

By Nooga-Brave

July 27, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this

DOB- Great post responding to UGA-Brave. But remember, you just can’t reason with UGA fans…

I feel people are doing the same thing with Escobar playing over Renteria. I can’t see how you would trade Renteria when your in a pennat race and he’s having a great a year, and is a clutch hitter.

By Marc

July 27, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this

Trade for Tex, Salty’s going to be a career .260 hitter once scouts realize he can’t hit low balls. He probably will get 30ish HRs a year though, but so will Tex and closer to a .300 AVG and .375 OBP.

If we could get a left handed reliever that’d be swell also.

By Paladin

July 27, 2007 7:32 AM | Link to this

kAt the risk of becoming known as one of the “negative nellies”: I’m afraid it is gettin’ to the point where it is going to take Tex, Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid to get this ox out of the ditch.

Now, I’m going to poop. Savannah Guy, are you keeping count? :-)

By Paladin

July 27, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this

Nooga Brave

DOB- Great post responding to UGA-Brave. But remember, you just can’t reason with UGA fans…

Do I hear Rocky Top playing in the background? And isn’t that descriptive of your cranium(s)?

By jon

July 27, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7065740

THERE IS NO NO NO WAY WE SHOULD GIVE AWAY ALL THREE OF THESE PLAYERS! Guys this is the lastest as of 7:45 A.M. on Friday! I think its about to happen, but where in the world is the reliever we want! The rangers are ignorant and stupid if they dont do this trade!!!

By Braves Fan 79 (shoulda traded vick for CJ)

July 27, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this

JS should just take all the horrible players off the roster like woodcrap…so Bobby isnt tempted to start them or pitchit them in crucial situations. Dropping him and bringing up Pena would be a major upgrade right there!

By bevsouth

July 27, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

Unless this trade for Tex and a pitcher guarantees a playoff spot I don’t make this deal. If the Rangers think Salty can play first base why don’t the Braves? Every time I see Wainwright pitch it reminds me not to settle for a quick fix.

By Roberto

July 27, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this

It is funny reading some of these comments about Andruw. This is the same guy who two years ago when Chipper was hurt put the offense on his back and hit 50 somethnig homers. He has been consisted on the defensive side since in came into the bigs….Cut him some slack. If anything, the Braves need to sign Tex and get a QUALITY STARTING PITCHER. Also, why let Rentaria go when he is having another solid season. If anyone in the infield should go, it’s (fragile)CJ.

By Roberto

July 27, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this

It is funny reading some of these comments about Andruw. This is the same guy who two years ago when Chipper was hurt put the offense on his back and hit 50 something homers. He has been consisted on the defensive side since in came into the bigs….Cut him some slack. If anything, the Braves need to sign Tex and get a QUALITY STARTING PITCHER. Also, why let Rentaria go when he is having another solid season. If anyone in the infield should go, it’s (fragile)CJ.

By jon

July 27, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this

Braves Interested In Damon?

The Yankees are reportedly shopping Johnny Damon and the Braves are believed to be interested but scared by Damon’s price tag. Read More

This just popped up on Espn.com

By john

July 27, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

That article on foxsports makes me laugh. IMO, JS will not trade those three for just Teix. If we get a reliever with Teix, or have something else working for a reliever, yes. But I just don’t see that as the ‘official’ offer.

Now if that’s what it is. Texas will be stupid to not take it. However, rumors will be rumors.

By Makin' Me Crazy

July 27, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

Stats suck!

They score 14 and win. They score 12 and win. They score 1 and lose. They score 2 and lose. Guess what? You add those four games together and it shows that the Braves are scoring at a 7.5 run a game clip! Wow! We’re going to the World Series! Willie goes 6 for 6 in a blowout and we all do the “Willie is coming around again” dance! He goes 0 for his next 4 games. Julio hits a hard line drive to center field and we all do the “Julio is close to coming around, just look at that hard out!” dance. A couple of guys hit and before you know it, everyone is hitting. They have 6 runs on the board and everyone relaxes. The rest of the game is spent padding offensive numbers because everyone is relaxed and having fun. Next day, the team looks like they don’t even know why they are carrying a bat to the plate.

By Efrim

July 27, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

Sources told FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal that the Braves are offering Jarrod Saltalmacchia, Matt Harrison and Elvis Andrus to the Rangers for Mark Teixeira alone.

If that’s the truth, why haven’t the Rangers accepted it already? We wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers were floating this to try to get other teams to improve their offers. To get one of baseball’s truly elite prospects and two more top-150 guys for a year and a third of Teixeira would be a fine deal for Texas.

Why DOB? Why would JS do that? I know we have tons of good arms in Danville, Rome and Myrtle Beach. But Harrison is already having a solid year at Mississippi. Giving up Andrus sucks as well. We have to get a reliever back. I know Chipper and Smoltz are old, but this is too much of a win now attitude from our upper management.

By john

July 27, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

And if it does happen…we all will need to evaluate it in about three years. Are we putting too much stock in the struggling Andrus and Harrisson…who have never sniffed a MLB game, or the rookie Salty who has only played in what 30 MLB games? These kids definately have potential…from what everyone says, but how many of us have seen them play? We all know what Teix can do at the big league level.

If the trade does/does not happen we will be fine…Remember who our GM is, and what our front office does

By All Spin Zone

July 27, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this

Thanks Jon for the heads up on the Rosenthal latest. Since some of you won’t click the link, here’s the jest of it. It was updated 6 hours ago so it’s “fresh” news.

from Ken Rosenthal- Fox Sports The game is now, “Can you top this?” The Braves, major-league sources say, have made the Rangers a whopper of an offer for first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Rangers evidently would receive three highly regarded young players — catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Class AA left-hander Matt Harrison and Class A shortstop Elvis Andrus — while sending the Braves only Teixeira.

This is nuts! I can honestly say I was intrigued by the trade when it included bullpen help from the Rangers along with Tex. If the return does not include pen help, run, don’t walk, away from this deal! IMO Tex alone is not worth this price!

By tim

July 27, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this

i was totally in favor of the trade fearing this was a 1 yr rental w/borat as the agent. however given that Tex played at GT Atl may have a chance to sign him for 3yrs. this would allow AJ to take his walking papers and Mendoza line batting avg with him. and now that the fragile one (chipper) has another boo-boo, we HAVE to make a trade for another bat or two soon

By STRETCH

July 27, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

Its ALWAYS the same thing with this team, WANNA KNOW WHY????… BOBBY COX. 14 YEARS IN A ROW TO THE POST SEASON, AND WHAT, ONE CHAMPIONSHIP?!!!! ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME?!!!!

How many times do we have to sit and watch a MLB team miss running assignments on the bases, not be in position to make plays on defense, not know how to bunt a runner over.

AND HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO WATCH ANDRUW STRIKE OUT WITH RUNNERS TRYING TO GET HOME!!!!!!

Bobby SUCKS and always have and im getting tired of hearing him yell, “lets go frenchy, come on woody, or way to fight jonesie”. What a joke.

I know what the problem is…its trying to be loyal, and these days loyalty either gets you fired or cursed, and the Braves are cursed! Bobby Cox wouldnt have lasted this long in NY or any other major market area with good teams.

YES, MAKE THE TRADE JS, ATLEAST YOU ARE SHOWING THAT YOU ARE STILL INTERESTED IN WINNING!

By JasonInMaine

July 27, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

Wow, the latest reports are interesting. JS must have a complimentary move that he could make as well for a reliever?

I wonder if any other teams will see what JS is offering for Tex and start calling? Either way, I wonder how long JS will keep this offer on the table?

Maybe Billy Beane will see what the Braves are offering, call JS, and offer up some of his great pitching.

Regards,

Jason

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

Todd A,

I would love for the Braves to never score 3 runs or less and I’m sure that’s obviously their goal.

But the Braves have scored 3 runs or less only 40 times this year. Do you know how many teams have scored 3 runs or less fewer times? Thirteen.

The Phillies have scored 3 runs or less 27 times, fewest in baseball (playing half their games in an extreme hitter’s park). The next fewest is Cleveland and Detroit with 33.

Oh, and the Giants are 6th in fewest runs allowed and the Braves were playing them in their home pitcher’s park.

Lincecum and Lowry are pretty good pitchers, especially in a pitcher’s park. Just because you may not think they are, doesn’t mean they are not.

By All Spin Zone

July 27, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

Efrim does make a point that I mentioned yesterday. Some of these stories could be floated just to drive the price up of a given player in a bidding war. Since Atlanta is so “closed mouth” about any potential deals, they would be a good flag to run up the pole having offered some outlandish deal. Texas knows Atlanta won’t confirm or refute. So it hits the wire that the Braves have made this offer and the Rangers hope both Cali teams or whoever ups the ante based on wire service reports.

Guess it could happen that way.

By H_Charles

July 27, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

DOB — Great point about potential vs. results. I do think Salty has a stronger upside than McCann. He will likely have more power, is a switch-hitter, has a stronger arm, and does run better. However, the league is filled with “can’t miss” misses, and catchers can be fickle things. No other postition takes that kind of beating and sees players just drop off the face of the earth all of a sudden (Javy, Charles Johnson, Daulton, and Lieberthal just to name a few from the NL East recently).

If you can get a known in Tex for an unknown, particularly when you have McCann blocking his path, you have to do it.

Ironically where the McCann over Salty is the most tenuous isn’t offensively, it is defensively. Quietly McCann has had a VERY bad year behind the plate. Dropped balls, not throwing out runners, and passed balls.

Still, this trade is a must. One factor nobody is discussing is that Tex fits right in line with Bobby’s managerial style. Last night is yet another example of Bobby’s consistent refusal to play smallball. McCann first pitch liner to left with nobody out and a runner on second.
Worse, Carlye doesn’t bunt with 2 on and one out in the 2nd, and hits into a rally killing double play. If Bobby won’t do what he should do in a pitcher’s duel, we are going to have to load our lineup with guys that can overcome this fact by smashing the ball over the seats. With Tex, Chipper, and Andruw in the order, we can do just that.

By ChampDawg

July 27, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

To hell with trades. Don’t give up the future (Salty, Escobar, etc.) for Tex or anybody esle including pitching. The Braves are .500 since the break and this was suppose to be the easy part of their schedule and able to make up some ground against the Mets. Yet, we wake up today 4 games back. Forget about trades— trading ain’t gonna help this team particularly if you have to give up young talent. Play the remaining 60 games with what you’ve got and then rework the lineup in the offseason.

By jon

July 27, 2007 9:05 AM | Link to this

Can we please get rid of Chip Caray before it is too late? He is a know-it-all and brought his losing ways from Chicago! He jinxes us every game by saying something stupid. “So & so hasn’t had a hit in a month”…homerun for the other team. “Buddy Carlyle hasn’t lost in his last 4 starts and looks amazing”…1 out 3 run rally for the Giants. I hate this guy! I used to love watching TBS instead of slappy Bob Rathbun and that other clown. Now I prefer Fox with Sciambi and hate games being on TBS. Does anyone else feel this way about Chip? No wonder Skip drinks all the time. Wouldn’t you if you had a son like Chip! By the way NICE LINEUP Bobby! Way to throw away a chance to make up a game on the mets!

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

Makin’ Me Crazy,

Guess what? This is baseball. Teams play 162 games. Sometimes they are going to scored 1 or 2 runs. Sometimes they are going to score 6-plus runs. Obviously we want the Braves to score a lot of runs more often than other teams and few runs less often than other teams. And guess what? They have done that.

Some of you say you watched the 40 games in which they’ve scored only 3 runs or fewer (so screw the stats!). What you don’t realize are more than half the teams in baseball have even more trouble scoring more than 3 runs.

I’m not saying they shouldn’t try to get better. If you are running the 1927 Yankees and you can improve the offense without breaking up the team or giving up too much of the future, you do it.

By JeremyL

July 27, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

In a game we simply HAD to win, Bobby starts the B team with no-hit Woodward at 3rd. Then, in the late innings he pinch hits with Renteria and Chipper hoping one of them would save his bacon.

By ChampDawg

July 27, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this

Any trade that doesn’t bring the Braves more pitching is ridiculuous and not worth it. It’s hard to overcome a weak rotation, a cleanup guy with the lowest BA among starters in the NL, and a brain dead manager who doesn’t know how to play small ball when needed and who is loyal to his his philosophies even if such strategies are losing ones. The Braves don’t need a first baseman- put Salty there and let’s move on. If you’re going to do anything, get some freaking’ pitching JS.

By ssiscribe

July 27, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

Quick one here, since I’ve got fish to fry on this lovely Friday morning (call is the Scribe’s Notebook, if you will):

— Three-for-one?: Read what you will into the up-again, down-again pulse of Braves Nation in regards to dealing several players — including Jarrod Saltalamacchia — to Texas for former Georgia Tech slugger Mark Teixeira. While I’ve been in favor of this deal, Ken Rosenthal’s report this morning gives me cause to pause.

Rosenthal reports, according to a major league source, the Braves are offering Saltalamacchia, 18-year-old shortstop Elvis Andrus, and lefty Matt Harrison for just Teixeira. Earlier rumors and sources said the Braves also wanted bullpen help from the Rangers.

I’ve spent three days explaining why I would do this deal. But if the Braves don’t have another deal lined up to get pitching depth to the bullpen — which was torched thanks, in part, to the back end of the rotation being non-existent for two months — then I really have to reconsider doing this.

Certainly, the Braves have to have another bat, and first base has been the place where hitters go to disappear this season. But the Braves would be giving up an awful lot for just Teixeira. Put C.J. Wilson or Ron Mahay into the deal, and I say jump all over it.

— Raising Arizona: Don’t look now, but there is another team pushing its way into what promises to be a wild sprint for the four NL playoff spots.

Arizona has won six games in a row and has vaulted by struggling San Diego and into first place in the NL wild card race and into second place in the NL West, just 1.5 games behind the Dodgers. The D’Backs are 7-3 in their past 10 games.

Fortunately for the Braves, they miss Arizona ace Brandon Webb in this season. They also miss Micah Owings of Gainesville. Instead, they’ll face converted reliever Yusemior Petit tonight, followed by veterans Doug Davis Saturday and Livan Hernandez Sunday.

— Mac is here to stay: Anybody who thinks the Braves would trade Brian McCann simply isn’t paying attention. Certainly Saltalamacchia has a tremendous upside, but you don’t throw away a 23-year old two-time All-Star who is locked up at a bargain price for the next six year for potential.

Salty needs to play everyday, as does Yunel Escobar (which is why I think you’ll see Edgar Renteria traded or Kelly Johnson moved to left field this offseason). For Salty to play every day, he needs to either become a first baseman, or move behind the plate. With the recent acquision of the ageless Julio Franco and the vast majority of at-bats going to the soon-to-be 49-year-old, it’s clear the Braves aren’t grooming Salty to play first base.

And why would you even consider trading McCann? Seriously. Even though he’s been in the bigs for only 26 months, he already has the rep of being one of the better catchers in baseball to throw to, calls a great game, is solid defensively and is a good hitter. And, barring injury, he’s only going to get better. Even thinking about trading McCann is, in my opinion, a ridicilous notion.

— Taking offense: The Braves certainly have issues with runners on base and hitting in the clutch. Atlanta is second in the NL by hitting into 91 double plays, trailing only the Cardinals.

But those who think the Braves wouldn’t present a formidable offense with Teixeira don’t realize there already is a pretty good offensive unit gathered in Atlanta. Going into the weekend, the Braves are third in the NL in batting average, fourth in on-base percentage, fourth in on-base plus slugging percentage, fifth in slugging percentage, fifth in RBIs and sixth in home runs.

The offense is there. It’s the lack of clutch hitting that has hurt the Braves after their red-hot start to the season. Putting Teixeira in the middle of the Braves lineup would be a good step toward making the Braves the best offense in the NL.

— Run away!: I’m 2-for-2 in jinxes this week. First, I doom DOB’s concert trip to see Hank III perform by commenting on how quickly Tim Hudson and the Braves were rolling Tuesday night, right before the Braves melted down in a game that they eventually won in 13 innings.

Yesterday, right after commenting on how well the Phillies are playing and the fact they may in time prove to be more of a challenge in the East than the Mets, Philadelphia lost ultra-talented second baseman Chase Utley for four-to-six weeks with a broken bone in his right hand.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

“Salty’s going to be the next Johnny Bench”…kind of like Brien Taylor was going to be the next Dwight Gooden. And Kerry Wood and Todd Van Poppel were going to be the next Nolan Ryan’s and Roger Clemens’s.

Yeah, odds are Salty is going to be one of the better catchers in baseball fairly soon, maybe even an All-Star, but few catchers have come into the league like McCann. And there aren’t many young players, never mind catchers, who have the combination of discipline and power that McCann possesses. Plus he’s a local guy signed for a lot more years.

Salty will be gone, if not by the deadline, by Opening Day 2008. He’s not a first baseman and he’s too good to be a backup.

By BamaBrave

July 27, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

I’m willing to bet this team will start playing better come August 1 no matter who we get or don’t get. They’re pressing at the plate again, and I blame the trade buzz.

Really interesting interview with Andruw. So he follows his own counsel, eh? No advice from Pendleton…Cox, etc. That speaks volumes.

I’d love to get the 2002-2004 version of Damon, but unless JS has a flux capacitor in his office, I hope we leave Damon alone.

By TommyP

July 27, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

DOB: You really need to get a grip on that PMS. I’ve never seen it so bad in a guy before.

I’m not going to say I agree with UGA Brave’s prediction of Salty as the next Johnny Bench but the way you ripped into him was ridiculous.

You throw all your little stats out there and fail to realize that he’s probably talking about Salty’s defense as much as his offense. (tremendous arm behind the plate)

However, offensively in the minors, McCann hit .220 with 2 dingers in rookie ball, .290 with 12 dingers in A ball, .278 with 16 homers in high A ball, and .265 with 6 homers in AA ball.

Not exactly superstar stats. I believe Salty lit it up a bit more than that in the minors. Fact of the matter is, however, that scouts PROJECTED McCann as getting better and better as he matured. That’s what UGA Brave is doing based on what he’s seen.

Based on Salty’s stats in the minors, what he’s done in the majors so far both behind the plate and standing at the plate, UGA Brave feels Salty is going to be a superstar. Apparently, Texas does as well.

What UGA Brave is suggesting isn’t exactly out of the realm of reality. Trade your established All Star starter to make room for a cheaper, younger future All Star. Seems Schuerholz has already looked into doing that (Renteria dealt to make room for Escobar????).

So don’t go ripping on people when they project an opinion about a ballplayer.

You bashed people when Franco was released by the Mets and several wanted him to sign with the Braves.

You bashed people in the spring for suggesting a cheap arm was still out there in Redman.

You bashed a few that suggested we give Willie Harris a chance in LF.

Did all of those moves work out? Doesn’t matter. Schuerholz seemed to feel they were low-risk moves that could possibly work out. One didn’t, one did, and we’re still waiting on the result of the Franco signing (he’ll settle in as a nice pinch hitter soon).

You talked about how Buehrle was overrated (both in print and on the radio) and kept manipulating your little stats to show he wasn’t “all that.” Meanwhile, Buehrle is making it painfully clear to you that last year was an aberration, one bad year in a career of very good ones.

Then you go touting Garland as an arm that is….how did you describe him? Difference maker? I can’t remember. Garland’s numbers pale in comparison to Buerhle (however you spell his name). Big time.

Show some tact in responding to people’s opinions. I personally feel Barry Bonds’ responses are better than yours half the time.

By Thrillhouse44

July 27, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

Do you guys believe they really offered Salty/Elvis/Harrison for Tex? I’m not so sure of it. For one thing, why didn’t the Rangers accept it? Another thing that makes me skeptical is we (fans, media, and other outsiders) usually don’t hear many details about Braves’ trades. It ain’t JS’ style. Why would things change right now?

Also, DOB or anyone else, where does “beyond the pale” originate? I’ve heard it before, but I wonder where it got its origin. Not really important or baseball related…

By Efrim

July 27, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

If it is down to the Angels and Braves, Jon Daniels wouldbe a fool to trae the guy within the division. So much for winning the next few years.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. It is all good and fine if we make the Tex trade, but it would be a joke if that trade went down and we didn’t make the playoffs this year. An absolute joke.

By Lee

July 27, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

Arizona was the team I have been worried about all year with the Wild Card. They are coming on strong lately. This upcoming series is just as important as any upcoming Mets series.

I am not commenting on this trade rumor any longer. I think everyone has said or mention everything that can possible be said concerning the possible trade itself.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

H_Charles,

You really think Salty has more upside than McCann?

Here are there minor league numbers coming into this season:

McCann - .275 AVG/.334 OBP/ .462 SLG, 1.9 K/BB, but only 176 K in 305 G.

Salty - .273 AVG/.369 OBP/ .453 SLG, 1.6 K/BB, 308 K in 404 G.

Of course this ignores what they’ve done in the big leagues and what they’ve done this season but we can get a pretty good idea.

Wow. Closer than I thought. Salty will probably strikeout more but he’ll probably walk more, keeping his OBP roughly equal to McCann’s. But it looks like McCann may have more contact ability which will likely mean more extra-base hits.

These two could be very similar in value, more similar than I thought. Given what McCann has done in the majors and his better contact ability, got to give an edge to him. But Salty should be a very fine catcher for someone.

It would be fun to see Salty and McCann in different leagues battling in All-Star games for the next 10 years or so.

By john

July 27, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

Maybe JS did play a power move with this report….

Think about it, Kenny Williams hears about it, wets himself and then offers Thome, money, and a reliever for the three.

Crazy thoughts for a Friday morning in the office

By Efrim

July 27, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

Hey does everyone know that the Mets are 5 up in the loss column?

Does everyone understand that we are 7-7 out of the break against the worst teams in our league?

By KC

July 27, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News

egrant@dallasnews.com

With less than a week to go before the trading deadline, the Rangers are heavily involved in talks with Atlanta on a deal that could send Mark Teixeira to the Braves, major league sources confirmed Wednesday.

The deal, however, could also expand into a blockbuster. Both Atlanta and the Los Angeles Dodgers, sources said, would like to get Teixeira and a reliever from the Rangers. Eric Gagne and Ron Mahay are of interest to Atlanta; the Dodgers are more interested in Gagne and Joaquin Benoit. Further complicating the scenario is the Rangers’ interest in keeping Gagne on a long-term deal. The club and Gagne remain conversant about such a possibility. Rangers/MLB

Blog: Rangers

Newsletter: Inside the Rangers

Rangers 7, Mariners 6

Rangers sweep Mariners

Gagne erases doubt

Teixeira deal talk

Box score | Highlights

Schedule | Roster | Stats

MLB scoreboard

More Rangers

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he would not discuss any trade scenarios.

The foundation for a deal that would send Teixeira to Atlanta would be 22-year-old catcher-first baseman Jarrod Saltalamacchia, considered the Braves’ top prospect. It would likely also include a young pitcher, potentially either 23-year-old right-hander Kyle Davies or 21-year-old left-hander Matt Harrison, and infielder Elvis Andrus. The Braves, however, are not likely to part with lefty Jo-Jo Reyes.

The Dodgers also remain interested in a Teixeira-centric package, the source said. The Dodgers would likely have to part with first baseman James Loney, an outfielder such as Andre Ethier and a minor league pitcher to pull of such a deal. The Rangers love Highland Park lefty Clayton Kershaw, but it’s not certain the Dodgers would include a prospect of his caliber as a third player.

Also, the Los Angeles Angels, according to a major league source, have upped an original offer of first baseman Casey Kotchman and a minor league outfielder (either Terry Evans or Nathan Haynes) for Teixeira alone.

That Atlanta and the two Los Angeles clubs are significantly interested could strengthen the Rangers’ bargaining position in the final days leading up to Tuesday’s 3 p.m. trading deadline. The Dodgers and Braves could end up in a head-to-head fight for the NL wild card, so keeping the other from upgrading its team could be a strong secondary motivator.

Likewise, the two Los Angeles teams are competing for the Southern California fan base. Neither can afford to watch Teixeira end up with the other and potentially in the World Series while the other is at home.

By Marc

July 27, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Lol, JS isn’t trading 3 top prospects for a one year rental.

Has he ever done anything like that? No.

If anything JS is a master at getting the most out of unproven prospects, this would be opposite of that. Of course the real deal might include Gagne or Wilson, in which case it probably wouldn’t be a horrible deal.

By brandon

July 27, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Does it matter? if we can afford both of them the rest of this year thats the important question and it appears they can. Let Andrew walk after this year. Even without looking at this years numbers Tex is younger and hits consistently 20 pts higher in average which means more RBIs with the same number of homers he is the better choice.

By john

July 27, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

Shaun,

Thanks for those minor league stats…very interesting.

We have two very good catchers right now, and about 4 very good short stops.

By NCBravesFan

July 27, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

DOB Thanks for the update. It strikes me that it makes a lot of sense for the Braves to get Texieira, especially in light of Andruw’s performance this year. If he’d hit a more typical .270 or so, the Braves would probably be in first by a couple of games, and AJ would have close to 100 RBI.

And does it seem to anyone else like the interview posted here is one more sign that AJ, for whatever reason, has mailed it in? I hate to say it, but the Braves should think long and hard about a few opt-outs of their own when it comes to AJ and a new contract.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

One more thing about this:

It seems a lot of people are saying the Braves aren’t a consistent offense because they watch the games and see how many times they score 0-3 runs. They’ll argue they don’t need to look at any pesky stats to see the “inconsistency.”

It’s about perspective and context, folks! A pitcher named Bob Emslie once won 32 games. Seems like a tremendous number until you realize in 1884 he finished 7th in his league (the American Association).

You have to look at pesky stats or rely on someone who does look at those pesky stats to make a judgment and put things into context. You can’t just watch the games and assume the Braves are scoring too few runs too often.

Braves are more consistent offensively than most other teams in baseball. End of story.

By Efrim

July 27, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

Arizona is hot, they have won 6 in a row and are 9-5 since the break.

9-5 since the break? Who else is 9-5 since the break?

By TampaBrave

July 27, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

Shaun,

You are correct sir on 9:19. Still incorrect on 9:07. It does not matter what the other teams do, its what the braves do. Overall, They are underachievers, and though pitching is a variable in that equation, its a known vaiable. We knew what the pitching was going to be. The exception to that is Gonzo getting hurt which creates somewhat of a domino effect in the BP. The obp is high, the runs scored is high, but not where it should be. I think we can agree on that. The last two nights are a prime example of what I’ve been trying to convey. Do teams have days where they don’t score well? Sure, but IMO, this team gets shut down by pitchers the rest of the league is hammering. I’m sure Smoltz looks at a lineup and knows where the weaknesses are and will exploit them. That is what is happening to us.

You keep using the rest of the league as benchmarks, I say they should be the benchmark for the rest of the league.

By TK

July 27, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

Seems odd to me that Cox sat Renteria yesterday with Chipper out hurting. Maybe JS was working on another deal with Renteria? On Tex…to trade Salty and two of your best prospects with no pitching coming back seems like a very high price. I don’t see the Tex deal going down without Texas sending some bullpen help. Bet, JS is holding out for CJ Wilson (need a lefty in the pen!)

By jon

July 27, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Leave it to Jon to put another interesting article up! This was is a lil longer and about 1-2 days old, but very interesting! Take a look..you’ll enjoy!

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10270081

By TampaBrave

July 27, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Shaun

you are dead wrong. I can watch a game and see that they scored 1 on Wednesday and 2 yesterday. If we could have used our average score, like bowling when someone doesn’t show up, they we would have swept the series. Why don’t you write Bud Selig to see if we can use the bowling rule.

By JasonInMaine

July 27, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

KC,

Not that it matters much because it is hard to filter through who knew what and when, but that article is a couple of days old. It was orginally posted on the 25th and updated at 12:06 AM on the 26th. The information from Rosenthal and a couple of other sources are supposedly more current. Just in case you missed the timeline, It thought I would throw that out there…

Regards,

Jason

By RedEyedAndBlue

July 27, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

All this trade talk inspired me to check on whatever happened to Donnie Elliott, the not-so-shabby Minor League starter who was part of the McGriff-Nieves trade in ‘94. Here’s an interesting article by Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star from late last week about Donnie and his contribution to baseball. He tought Trevor Hoffman his out-pitch, the change-up.

[http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/199588.html] (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/199588.html)

By Chase

July 27, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Check this BRAVES TRADE INFO Out

ESPN’s Jayson Stark

“Clubs that have talked to Atlanta have said there isn’t a buyer in all of Baseball trying to be more aggressive or more creative than the Braves.”

“They’re in on everybody” says one GM. “Starters. Relievers. YOung guys. Old guys. They’re heating up to do something.”

ALSO (in same article)

concerning ZACK GREINKE…

“he’s exactly the kind of talent that you can see the Braves paying heavily for…Especially given Dayton Moore’s long time Atlanta ties.”

also in the same article

“We keep hearing that the Braves and Cubs are the only teams that Ken Griffey Jr. would waive his trade veto rights to go to however, niether team is currently showing strong interest”

Something or a couple of big somethings is going to happen people. I never remember hearing this much rumblings concerning the Braves!

We will see but I bet the Braves try and add TEX, Greinke/Garland, and a reliever/Gagne maybe. And who knows, if the Yankees eat salary maybe we put Damon in left field as well.

We’ll see

By Tomahawkin' Again

July 27, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

DOB, what’s the latest w/Tex? What did he have for breakfast? Fruit Loops or Wheaties?

By JasonInMaine

July 27, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

This is from Joel Sherman at the NY Post:

“Several executives believe the Rangers have an acceptable package for Mark Teixeira with the Braves in place - centered around switch-hitting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia - and are just waiting to see if another club (the Angels and maybe the Dodgers) will do better before Tuesday’s deadline.”

This supports what we already know: Texas is obviously the team holding up the deal. They are holding out for the best possible deal…who can blame them? But, like I mentioned; I wonder if another person comes into play seeing what JS is offering for Tex. The Rangers will not get a better deal, so if Daniels is intent on trading Tex; he should do it before JS pulls the offer off the table.

Regards,

Jason

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

July 27, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

As much as I want Tex, I think trading Salty, Harrison, and Andrus for just Tex is a bit much. Now, if Harrison is replaced with Davies, then I make the deal. The Braves have to get another player in the deal if what is being reported is true and I think it is because Rosenthal is very thorough. I don’t even so much care if it were a reliever. I know Lofton didn’t have such a good run the first time around but boy would he help this offense. I just don’t trust Harris to be good all year.

The only way I see JS making a deal like this is if some cash is coming along with Tex which could help him making a deal possibly moving someone like Diaz or Thorman.

By jon

July 27, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

GUYS…BUSINESS IS PICKING UP…BRIGHT AND EARLY THIS MORNING..LOOK WHAT I JUST FOUND ON THE WIRES!

HERE IS THE WEBSITE..AND I COPY AND PASTED THE ARTICLE

http://www.fannation.com/truthandrumors/mlb#

Rangers working 3-team blockbuster Posted: Thursday July 26, 2007 07:29AM ET

The Rangers are heavily involved in talks with Atlanta on a deal that could send Mark Teixeira to the Braves, major league sources confirmed Wednesday. The deal, however, could also expand into a blockbuster. Both Atlanta and the Dodgers, sources said, would like to get Teixeira and a reliever from the Rangers. Eric Gagne and Ron Mahay are of interest to Atlanta; the Dodgers are more interested in Gagne and Joaquin Benoit. Further complicating the scenario is the Rangers’ interest in keeping Gagne on a long-term deal. The club and Gagne remain conversant about such a possibility.

By braveslifer

July 27, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

I’m a little more hesitant than most that I’m reading on this board about trading Salty for Texeira. For one thing, Salty is 5 years younger, and—according to almost all of the experts—has the potential to put up the kind of numbers that Texeira is putting up now. Salty is also A LOT cheaper. My problem with this whole deal is this: WHY DON’T WE PLAY SALTY AT FIRST BASE FULL TIME???? And don’t tell me that it decreases his trade value as a catcher. If he plays first base for the rest of this season, does that mean that he all of a sudden forgot how to play catcher? I’ve never understood the logic (or lack thereof) behind that. If we do that, we have a solid lineup from top to bottom, and it’s a much cheaper lineup that can give us the financial flexibility to get some immediate relief help and/or some more starting pitching down the road.

By TampaBrave

July 27, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

BTW Shaun,

I agree with your previous post not because of the statistics you posted, its because McCann is a proven commodity and Salty isn’t at the ML level. Could still be a flash in the pan? Remember Brad Komminsk?

I think everyone here needs a reality check. The METS will not fold. We will have to go on a serious run. It appears that everytime we hit a good streak, we come into view on their rear view mirror, they stop coating and step on the gas. Its like they are toying with us. Its going to take all of the remaining games to overtake them so every day we delay on this trade is a death nail in the coffin.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

TampaBrave,

Did you really think the Braves offense would not drop off some after they lost LaRoche after his best season and some of their key players got older?

Granted there are surprises—I doubt anyone expected Thorman and Andruw to be this bad or Chipper and Kelly Johnson to be this good. But all in all, the offense isn’t far off from what I expected before the season started.

And does it get shutdown by pitchers everyone else is hammering? Maybe they are. My guess is they haven’t; at least not any more than any other good team.

Sometimes pitchers are going to have career games against a particular team that they shouldn’t pitch well against. Over 162 games there are going to be some fluke games that go both ways. I seriously doubt bad pitchers are beating the Braves any more than bad pitchers beat any other team.

By brian

July 27, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

I have to put faith in JS and trust due to his long track record. No way would he trade Salty, Elvis, AND Harrison for just Teixeira and his 1.33 years. That would be insane. I think it still really is a steal for the Rangers even if they throw in a reliever as well. Please say this is not so JS.

By JMar

July 27, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

As much as I want Tex, I think trading Salty, Harrison, and Andrus for just Tex is a bit much.

I think that’s the understatement of the century. If we trade three of our top four prospects for Tex, I am going to be physically ill. My stomach is upset just thinking about it.

By Lee

July 27, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Trade rumors cause distractions on teams sometimes. Maybe this has been part of the Braves lackluster performance against mediocre teams since the all-star game. At least it is an excuse for them. The Rangers are in the driving seat with this trade, no doubt about it. Tex is good but you would think everyone is competing for A-Rod. Wherever Tex ends up, there is going to be a lot of pressure and expectations that will be placed upon him. Sometimes players fold completely under these conditions.

For the Salty - McCann comparison there is not way to see into the future and predict this. McCann is signed and is the Braves future catcher. Salty is expendable. If Salty does turn out to be a superstar we will se plenty of him in the future. The Yankees or Red Sox will acquire him in a matter of time … count on it. Especially when he becomes a free agent eligible.

By braveslifer

July 27, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Chase—why in God’s name would we want Johnny Damon? He’s making $13mill per, batting .245 with 5 HR and 36 RBIs. Compare that with Willie Harris/Matt Diaz, who are making a combined $800k, and have the following combined stats: .333 BA, 6 HRs, 41 RBIs???

By MWK

July 27, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

braveslifer - You don’t play Salty at first full tmie because he’s a defensive liability. Of course, Thorman is starting to look like that too right now.

I think the only reason we got Franco was to try to stablize our glove at first, which is kind of pathetic if you think about it.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

braveslifer,

I don’t know if he’ll put up the kind of number Tex is now. Tex is one of the best hitters in the game.

The reason they don’t just move Salty to first, seems to me, is because they don’t like his defense there. He’s not a first baseman. Braves are trying to win and they put a premium on defense. Rather than have Salty riding the pine, they are going to trade him for a player/players that help them.

If they don’t trade Salty now, they’ll trade him down the road because he’s a catcher and he’s going to be a catcher. They’ve figured out he’s not a first baseman.

By coachk

July 27, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

well here we go again Texeria, not the move. Put Salty at first and let him play every day. Llike Franco but he can’t hit the fastball or curve, and thorman just can’t hit. Starters doing their job and if the bullpen can’t do theirs they can visit Kyle. Chemistry wins championships quit messing with it and push these guys. Bobby it is okay to just get 1 run an inning there are 9 innings figure it out, and please just one person act every now and then this is the 7th game of a world series, attitude and chemistry, we have the players maybe lets look some at Cox, and please if your not going to trade andrew who to me is your only one to trade at this point bat him 8th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Soul Man

July 27, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Wow. It’s infuriating to see someone steal my blog handle and then use it to post language I would never use. Can the AJC’s blog chiefs work to keep 13-year-olds off this thing? Don’t steal my handle. Don’t.

By KC

July 27, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

“Possible Teixeira trade sets clubhouse abuzz”

Yeah… until Salty walks in the clubhouse, at which point everyone says “shhh shhh… here he comes”

By flange1

July 27, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

Morning All,

Now I am not a negative person, and I try to be positive with the Braves, but I really don’t see this as a playoff team if we can’t beat the worst teams in the league. It always seems that the Braves are facing a pitcher who is having his best night of the year. I think we need another hitter to help.

I really think that without some sort of trades the Braves will not reach the playoffs. All year we have been saying, there is more time, don’t get worried yet, but we need to start winning some series back to back to back.

I agree with some above that getting Tex would be great, but we need at least 1 and maybe 2 more arms to go deep in the playoffs. Maybe those arms are Boyer, Sturtze, Cormier or Starup, but we need some help.

Thoughts?

By Efrim

July 27, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

All:

You know, we can get swept by the D Backs this weekend. And the Mets can sweep the Nats. You know, those are great possibilities.

If that does happen, and we are 8 back in the loss column from the division leader and 5 back in the loss column for the wild card, do you think JS would pull the deal off the table right before the deadline?

By Paul Hamilton

July 27, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

I like Andruw, he plays hard and seems like a good guy. That being said, there is no way I devote all that money to a guy hitting .214 The Braves need pitching and more consistent performances on the offensive side of the ball. The big thing that stuck out to me is when you asked andruw if he has asked for help from anyone about his swing. His answer, “no”. That is very telling and probably the reason he is struggling through his worst season in the majors. If Andruw drives in 100 rbi’s, I imagine it would be double that if he had hit his career .269 He has been terrible with risp. Andruw has become a black hole in the middle of the lineup.

The Braves need to start focusing on who is going to replace Smoltz and Hampton in a few years. If payroll is increased even by 10 million, I would like to see them looking ahead instead of waiting til the last minute.

By braveslifer

July 27, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

MWK—I agree that Salty is not the best defensive first baseman. At the same time, I don’t feel like that’s enough reason to shell out all that money (and trade all those prospects) for Texeira. And after all, Salty isn’t that bad at 1st, and he should only get better with more playing time there. I don’t like this deal. I think we’re trading a future Texeira (who costs a fraction of the price) along with other top prospects for a current Texeira. I don’t think that makes sense. But, like someone said earlier, I ultimately trust that Schuerholz will do the right thing—after all, he’s always pretty much fleeced other GMs in most deals and come out looking better…

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

TampaBrave,

For every Brad Komminsk there are 20-30 top prospects that become at least good players.

Lee,

I agree, Salty is expendable. The Braves should get something for him right now rather than let him rot on the bench.

And of course we don’t know for sure but the likelihood of Salty becoming a very good player is pretty high.

By 1957 Braves Fan

July 27, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Salty/Harrison/Andrus for just Texeria is not worth it.

By Mackey Sasser

July 27, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

From mlbtraderumors.com…

According to Ken Rosenthal’s sources, the Braves have made an offer to the Rangers for Mark Teixeira: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Matt Harrison, and Elvis Andrus. That’s without any relievers coming back to Atlanta. That’s three young players all with a chance to become above-average big league regulars. You couldn’t really criticize Daniels for it, no matter how it turned out.

No reliever?! Ugh.

By Colin

July 27, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Big Series DBack leads WC by 1.5 games over us we need to win 3 which we really could, Jo-Jo, Smoltz, Huddy.

By Dumblogger

July 27, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

The wife and I were discussing the Braves’ current quest for good bullpen help and both feel that they already have that help available here in Richmond. Young Will Startup and Joey Devine have the ability to throw strikes and have the right stuff to be effective.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

coachk,

Chemistry can’t help you hit a curve ball.

The Cardinals won the World Series last year with the thirdbaseman and manager not speaking.

The Bronx Zoo Yankees won.

If you want to go way back, read some stories about the early 1900s Cubs.

As Jim Leyland once said: “I don’t believe in chemistry. I’m not a chemistry guy, I never have been. Show me a winning team, and I’ll show you a pretty good clubhouse.”

By braveslifer

July 27, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

Shaun - You are correct in saying that Salty may not put up the numbers Tex is putting up, but at the same time, if he’s as good as everyone says he is, would the talent difference be worth the astronomical $$ difference, especially in a team with a somewhat limited payroll? I don’t disagree with acquiring Texeira—and if Gagne were thrown in the deal I’d be a lot more inclined to do it. But I don’t understand how you can say with such certainty that Salty is “a catcher, and is going to be a catcher.” True, he’s a better catcher than he is a first baseman, but with McCann already entrenched at catcher, Salty’s not going to play there. We all know that. I don’t understand why we can’t move him to first and let him get better there—if nothing else, why aren’t we playing him at 1st now?? Why are we playing Julio, who is underperforming (but overperforming relative to most 48 year olds) when we could be showcasing Salty’s hitting ability? I just don’t understand it.

By Colin

July 27, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

Braves Make Offer For Teixeira

According to Ken Rosenthal’s sources, the Braves have made an offer to the Rangers for Mark Teixeira: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Matt Harrison, and Elvis Andrus. That’s without any relievers coming back to Atlanta. That’s three young players all with a chance to become above-average big league regulars. You couldn’t really criticize Daniels for it, no matter how it turned out.

read for yourself

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

By Bill

July 27, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

You can forget about Willie Harris being a full time OF next year. It’s not going to happen. He’s just a bench player only. Just like Diaz. The game was lost before it started. BC is an idiot. Rest Renteria when Chipper is playing. Buddy has come down to earth. They are in need of another bat, starting pitcher and lefty in pen. I like Tex but that’s to much to give up for him. If they would include Wilson that might get it done. The sooner they can get AJ out of town the better it will be. JS is going to wreck the Braves, just like he did KC.

By N8

July 27, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

KC

“Yeah… until Salty walks in the clubhouse, at which point everyone says “shhh shhh… here he comes”

You don’t think he wants to play everyday? With that bandbox the Rangers play in, I’m sure he’ll make some pretty good money down the road.

I know you were just making a joke, but my guess is the kid would LOVE to be traded at this point, to somebody who has interest in playing him everyday.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Efrim,

Two months is still a long time. You have to like the Braves chances with Tex, even if they are five back in the Wild Card race.

By KC

July 27, 2007 10:50 AM | Link to this

With all due respect to Rosenthal, I don’t believe this for a second:

Ken Rosenthal - FOXSports.com, Updated 34 minutes ago

The game is now, “Can you top this?”

The Braves, major-league sources say, have made the Rangers a whopper of an offer for first baseman Mark Teixeira.

The Rangers evidently would receive three highly regarded young players — catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Class AA left-hander Matt Harrison and Class A shortstop Elvis Andrus — while sending the Braves only Teixeira.

At a time when teams are reluctant to trade inexpensive prospects for high-priced veterans, such a deal would be a coup for Rangers general manager Jon Daniels.

If he can beat the Braves’ 3-for-1 proposal, more power to him.

The Dodgers, facing injury concerns in their starting rotation, are likely to focus solely on pitching.

The Angels have submitted a substantial two-player offer for Teixeira, according to an industry source, but are reluctant to go further.

First baseman Casey Kotchman almost certainly is part of the Angels’ proposal. The other player likely is a pitcher, possibly Class AAA right-hander Ervin Santana.

Kotchman and Santana are more established than any of the players the Braves are offering. However, Kotchman’s upside might not be as high as the switch-hitting Saltalamacchia’s. Santana’s value, meanwhile, has diminished considerably, in part because of his 7.16 ERA in 36 career road starts.

Even if the Angels swapped out another pitcher for Santana — left-hander Joe Saunders perhaps, or Class AA right-hander Nick Adenhart — their offer might not be as strong as the Braves’.

The Dodgers are the wild card, but the questionable state of their rotation could take them out of the Teixeira sweepstakes.

The Braves aren’t going to give up all 3 of those guys for only Tex. just not buying it.

By JasonInMaine

July 27, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

Efrim,

First…don’t talk so foolish! (: We are not getting swept this weekend…other way around my fellow blogger! But, you ask an interesting question.

I guess it all depends on how important they think Tex would be to next year, especially if they feel Andruw will be gone. That coupled with if they think they want and can sign Tex to a contract extension. You know JS…he doesn’t give up on any season. My guess would be that he would still make the trade in hopes that the Braves could go on a run after acquiring him as well as with next year in mind.

Regards,

Jason

By A*****

July 27, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

No the Braves can’t afford to keep Andruw Jones—Hell! I doubt if any MLB team could afford a stubborn, chubby stiff who is barely hitting above the 200 average Mendoza line, and who is expecting to be paid $20+ mil. a year to keep doing it!

By JB

July 27, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

THIS IS THE REASON I WOULD DO SALTY/ANDRUS/HARRISON FOR TEX. Im SURE DOB WILL AGREE WITH ME ON THIS. SALTY’S ONLY FUTURE WITH THE CLUB WOULD BE AT FIRST BASE. WITH TEX YOU HAVE A GUY AT FIRST WHO IS PROVEN HE CAN HIT MLB PITCHING AT A GREAT LEVEL AND CAN PLAY GOLD GLOVE D. THE BRAVES WOULD SIMPLY BE GOING WITH THE SURE THING AND THE BETTER DEFENSIVE OPTION. AND IF TEX LEAVES KALA KAAIHUE IN THE MINORS IS RAKING AND IS A TOP 1B PROSPECT. SO HE’D BE ABOUT READY WHEN TEX WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE. AS FOR ANDRUS, WE HAVE A SS OF THE FURTURE AND ITS YUNEL ESCOBAR. UNLIKE ELVIS HE HAS PROVEN HE CAN HIT. SO YOU DONT LOSE ANYTHING THERE. AND AS FOR HARRISON WE HAVE 2 OTHER TOP LEFTY STARTER PROSPECTS IN DAN SMITH AND JO JO REYES. THIS SORT OF GOES BACK TO GIVING UP MAX RAMIREZ WE HAD 3 OTHER CATCHERS IN MCCANN, SALTY, AND CLINT SAMMONS. SO YOU TRADE FROM A STRENGTH. YOUNG LEFTY STARTERS FOR THE BRAVES IS A STRENGTH. SO YOU BASICALLY GIVE UP 1 THING FOR TEX. A LEFTY STARTING PROSPECT, WHICH IS A POSITION OF SURPLUS FOR THE BRAVES.

By AthensBrave

July 27, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Please JS, don’t make that trade!!!!!!!!!!!

By P'Cola Michael

July 27, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Off of Foxsports.com
The game is now, “Can you top this?” The Braves, major-league sources say, have made the Rangers a whopper of an offer for first baseman Mark Teixeira. The Rangers evidently would receive three highly regarded young players — catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Class AA left-hander Matt Harrison and Class A shortstop Elvis Andrus — while sending the Braves only Teixeira. At a time when teams are reluctant to trade inexpensive prospects for high-priced veterans, such a deal would be a coup for Rangers general manager Jon Daniels. If he can beat the Braves’ 3-for-1 proposal, more power to him.

By Chase

July 27, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

Braveslifer

I never said “WE NEED” or “Should GET” Johnny Damon. However, I included him in my comments because of the many various rumblings that the Braves have inquired about him!

EFRIM Come on man! No way the Braves get swept with SMOLTZ and HUDSON pitching the last two games of the series against the D-Backs!!!!!

Also the D-backs have a young pitcher PETIT 2-2, Doug Davis 6-10, and Hernandez 6-6 pitching.

And this weekend the METS have Sosa, Pelfry, and El-Duque so I doubt they are going to sweep the NATS!

I could just as easily say that the Braves sweep this weekend and the METS get swept and the Braves end up 1 out by Monday!

Come on EFRIM don’t be so pessimistic man!

By TLJ

July 27, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

KC,

I saw Jason Stark on ESPN approximately 30 minutes ago discuss the above. He stated the braves and rangers were close to a deal. However, the braves did not want to give up three of their top prospect for Tex only. The braves were holding out for a relief pitcher. I agree with you, I don’t think they will give up all 3 players for Tex only.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

braveslifer,

I agree that Salty should get a fair share of time at first while he’s on the roster. But it appears he’s bad defensively at first. His future is as a catcher. He has more value to another team as a catcher than to the Braves as a first baseman.

If Tex can increase the chances of the Braves getting to the playoffs, it’s worth the dollar difference (and I’m not so sure there won’t be cash exchanged in the deal).

The good thing about Tex being a free agent after ‘08 is that the Braves may get his best season and two months then not have to pay give him the huge contract after that, after he starts to drop off a little bit.

And I don’t think Salty’s abilities need to be displayed. I’m sure every team in baseball knows what he can do.

Braves, I’m sure, are thinking if they pull this off they get an impact player that can help them in two seasons.

By A*****

July 27, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Damn! I’ve been reading this blog for a few weeks now, well, more so trying to wade through all long-winded novels being written by a handful or so of wannabe journalists, who are here posting 24 hours a day, seven days a week it seams. I was just interested to know if DOB really needs all that help with his blog?

——-30——-

Selah

regards,

the A***** abides

By Colin

July 27, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this

Rosenthal does have some Twins for us who might be traded: Luis Castillo and Carlos Silva. Castillo has already been connected to the Mets in rumors, though Silva is a new one. One could definitely envision Silva’s style working in the National League (I know, I say that a lot). There was a recent Silva to Atlanta rumor, though Silva’s agent seems to have debunked it. Courtesy of Rosenthal again… WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By KC

July 27, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

Bill:

I agree with you about resting Renteria last night. It didn’t make a lick of sense.

However - and I’m not trying to be offensive here - but a couple other things you just said (such as “JS is going to wreck the Braves”)… make you look like an idiot.

All a GM can do is give his team the tools to win. It’s the players (and to a lesser extent, the coaches’) job to go actually go out there and win.

Schuerholz has put his team in a position to compete for a World Series ring 14 of the last 15 years. He is the only GM in baseball who can say that. He’s the only GM I’ve ever seen that can say that. And he’s done it in recent years with modest resources.

JS is the best in the business. Period.

As for your comment about Diaz being a bench player… Matt Diaz now has over 500 at-bats as an Atlanta Brave (through 2006 and this season to date) , over which he has batted .339

When you look at his numbers, you’ll find that it doesn’t really matter if he’s facing a righty or a lefty… if it’s at home, or on the road… day game, or night game. The guy just hits. And he has improved his defense significantly since the start of last season. He’s not a liability out there by any means.

You need to get your facts straight before you make comments like these.

By Thrillhouse44

July 27, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

I’m with you KC. The Rangers would have accepted that deal, IMO. Also, how has a JS trade proposal become so public? I don’t think it’s a very believable report.

Something is going to happen, though. I think we have a good team and with a little help, the Braves will be tight (like spandex).

By Paladin

July 27, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

A*, I hope you did your own censoring and didn’t need DOB’s elves to do it for you. Keep it clean. This is a daytime audience.

By Colin

July 27, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

Chase

Your absolutely right because Jo-Jo pitches well we can win because some guy Petit is pitching, Doug Davis average, Livan washed up, if we dont sweep it will be terrible because 2/3 are washedup and one i never heard of.GET THE TEX DEAL DONE NOW

By ssiscribe

July 27, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

There’s not much populating the space between my ears. So, take all this with a grain of salt, but here’s a list of what I think about the state of the Braves (and other assorted items) on this fine Friday morning:

— I think the Braves, despite their inconsistent play since early May, are very much alive in the NL East race and the NL wild card chase.

— I think those who feel the Braves are on the verge of falling out of the playoff race are misguided.

— I think the Braves should trade for Mark Teixeira.

— I think the Braves have to get at least one reliever by the trade deadline, whether in the Teixeira deal or a separate trade.

— I think sitting Renteria on a day where Chipper doesn’t play was a very bad move.

— I think Chris Woodward needs to be released.

— I think if the Braves get Teixeira, it spells the official beginning of the end of the Andruw Jones era in Atlanta.

— I think, with all the passion we’ve seen on the trade talks, that we’ll need a clean blog slate at some point this weekend.

— I think Tex and a reliever will be wearing tomahawks across their chests by this time next week.

— I think Texas won’t pull the trigger on the deal until Monday night or Tuesday morning (remember, the deadline is 3 p.m. Eastern Tuesday, and it’s Texas, not Atlanta, who can pull the trigger).

— I think the Braves have to hit Tex cleanup and drop Andruw to fifth.

— I think the race for playoff spots in the NL is going to last until the final week of the season.

— I think the Cubs — who I dismissed earlier this month — actually have a great shot at winning the NL Central.

— I think the Padres are fading.

— I think the D’Backs are surging.

— I think the Utley injury is going to really hurt Philly.

— I think the Phils will find a way to hang around.

— I think the Mets are not good enough to run away and hide with the division title.

— I think there are eight teams capable of winning the NL pennant if they can get into the playoffs (Mets, Braves, Phillies, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, D’Backs, Padres).

— I think the Braves, if they get Teixeira and another arm in the pen, become the favorites to win the NL flag.

— I think I’m done. Bloggers, have at it.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Coach (Hank Aaron Is The Real HR Champion)

July 27, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Andrus , Salty and Harrison for Teixeira ? That is totally insane. A little history lesson for the uninformed. Fred McGriff was obtained from the Padres for OF Melvin Nieves (amateur free agent) , RP Donnie Elliot (1987 7th round pick) and OF Vince Moore (1991 5th round pick). McGriff was a 29 year old left handed hitting first baseman who had averaged 34 HR 95 RBI and a .284 batting AVG over his previous six major league seasons. Compare that to Teixeira and it’s just about even. No way is Teixeira worth Saltalamacchia C/1B (2003 1st round pick) , LP Matt Harrison (2003 3rd round pick) and of course Elvis Andrus the most highly regarded amateur free agent the Braves have ever signed. Compare the two trades people , it’s not even close in value. It’s a ripoff and we will get burned if this is really on the table. One more thing , McGriff’s contract was good for two more seasons after we got him , Teixeira’s is for one more. It’s a horrible trade if it happens.

By Ron

July 27, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

If we make this STUPID trade, then can we AT LEAST get a reliever or player that will be with us in 2009? Mahay is 36, not likely to be here in 2009!!! Tex not likely to be here in 2009 because the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Angels, potentially the Dodgers, and others have MORE MONEY than the Braves do!!! Especially IF the Yankees lose A-Rod at the end of the season, the Yankees could offer 25-30 Million a year, Hell they may offer that anyway!!! Those teams have soooo much more money than the Braves do, even IF the payroll goes up 10 million by then!!! I dont care if Tex went to Georgia Tech!!! He still not gonna give us any discount or nothing at all, and HE WILL test Free agency!!! When JS traded for JD Drew, I bet he figured he could resign him, but Drew is a money hungry player, Dont know IF Tex is or not, but chances are he is, look who his damn agent is!!!!!

By BamaBrave

July 27, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Unless we remain in an offensive funk from all the aforementioned trade buzz…I don’t think we’ll get swept. Besides Smoltz and Hudson pitching, we have two other things going for us, oddly enough… 1) We’re on the road, and 2) we play better against the better NL teams. Go figure. It’s like we lower ourselves when we play the Reds, Cards, Marlins, etc.

By TLJ

July 27, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

JB,

You are correct in that all 3 are expendable but why would you over pay to get Tex? We still need a relief pitcher and may need one of these players to package in another deal. If Texas is willing to include a relief pircher (Wilson/Gagne), I’m okay with sending all 3 to Texas.

By KC

July 27, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Thrillhouse: Well, as DOB has explained… whenever you hear a trade rumor involving the Braves, there’s a 99% chance the info is being linked from the other team involved in the talks.

Everyone knew we were pursuing Hudson a few years ago, even though the Braves wouldn’t talk about it.

I’m sure the Tex rumors are very credible in general… I just have my (serious) doubts about Rosenthal’s report that the Braves are willing to give up 3 of their top prospect for 1 player who might be gone at the end of next year.

If it’s true, it would be unprecedented for JS. He’s NEVER done anything like that, which is why I find that so hard to believe.

Salty for Tex… that I believe.

Salty and Harrison for Tex and Mahay… more difficult to picture, but not impossible.

Salty, Harrison, & Elvis for Tex and Gagne… seems unlikely, but I could buy that one.

But all 3 of those guys for Tex only. No way.

By Efrim

July 27, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

I don’t think this trade is going to happen.

It is all rumors.

By KC

July 27, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

Scribe: I agree with most everything you said, and I don’t disagree with any of it. You’re a smart dude. I don’t care what Grinch says about you. =)

By TennesseePaul

July 27, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

KC: I wouldn’t be surprised. The prospects meantioned only consist of 1 that has major league experience. The Angeles are offering two that have major league expierence (granted 1 is worse than Davies). But Check this out…
Player Name Year AB G AVG OBP SLG
Elvis Andrus: 2007 371 96 .237 .325 .326
He isn’t looking like a hot item right now in rookie ball. I know he’s young, but he looks to be very, very far from major league ready. And we already have Renteria, Escobar and Lillibridge. Toss in Pete Orr and Chris Woodward and we’re covered! =)
Anyways, I’m saying it wouldn’t surprise me too much. They talked him up big before the season. They always talk up guys. A lot of the guys they talk up don’t pan out but they talk them up anyway.
Now if you want to see the future… check this out. Hard to believe that guy is a day over 12.

By tkg

July 27, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

If Harrison is involved in the trade with Salty and Elvis I would think a relief pitcher would be coming back to Atlanta.

If a relief pitcher is not coming back to Atlanta, for the Braves to “win” the trade or at least make it even, they would have to re-sign Tex after next year.

If a reliever is coming, which one would you prefer — the lefty Wilson or Gagne?

By Ron

July 27, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Lets dont say we WONT get swept by the D-Backs!!! That is a possibility, after we lost 3 of 4 to the Nats earlier this year, and got swept by the Reds ANYTHING is possible!!! And dont blame these trade rumors are a distration for this .500 ballclub!!! We were a .500 Ballclub BEFORE the Break, and GUESS WHAT? We are STILL a .500 Ballclub AFTER the Break!!! Simple as that!!!

By coachk

July 27, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Like the idea of getting Tex but only for Salty and Harrison, not Elvis, your future is esobar and elvis. Chipper and Edgar getting up in age. Do this trade and then use Andrew to get some pitching relief, move willie to center and diaz to left every day it is now show time final 60 games we need the best bats in the lineup EVERYDAY!

By Salty

July 27, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Shaun For every Brad Komminsk there are 20-30 top prospects that become at least good players.

Huh?

By Huck5

July 27, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

David -

MLBTradeRumors.com is reporting that Braves have offered Salty, Harrison, AND Andrus for Tex, and Tex alone. Seems like if we were trading those three, seems like we would get Gagne in the deal as well? We’re giving Texas huge payroll relief, and Tex is a GREAT hitter and just entering his prime. I think he would make a greater impact than McGriff. But seems like Salt/Harrison/Elvis is too steep of a price to pay for Tex alone? If it’s Tex/Gagne for those guys, then great. I’m intrigued by Elvis’s ability, but he’s probably three years away. A lot can happen in that time period.

I don’t have “prospect love” either, especially after Marte hasn’t panned out. I got to watch him a few times when he was in AA, and I loved his bat speed. It is hard to judge how lower lever prospects will react to higher levels of baseball, and if they are able to make adjustments at the MLB level. The Braves seems to have a pulse on those players and seem to pull the trigger at just the right time.

If we can trade Salty for Tex, then great for the Braves. I think you take the chance on Tex wanting to stay in ATL and resign him in the offseason before he enters his walk year.

From your A.J. interview, sounds like we’ll get a discount from A.J. to stay in ATL. I bet in the end he tells Boras to make something happen, or he’ll negotiate himself like last time.

Best part of your article is a potential payroll increase from Liberty between $10-$20 million.

By KC

July 27, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Ron: We don’t know how much money the Braves do or don’t have. The new ownership has hinted that Braves prez, Terry McGuirk will have freedom within the allotted budget to increase the payroll, and I think that will be the case. By how much? No one knows, and the Braves aren’t going to tip their hand on that now. We won’t know what the Braves are able to spend until Feb or March of next year.

As for re-signing Tex… it’s possible if Andruw leaves. Like any big star that has EVER signed or re-signed with Atlanta, he’ll have to be willing to take a competitive offer from the Braves, even if there’s a higher offer elsewhere. The Braves have never signed a superstar free-agent that didn’t leave a better (if only slightly) offer on the table to play here. So anything is possible.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 27, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

If the deal Rosenthal described is the deal, then do it. And try to get another reliever.

Salty is likely to be a very fine player some season, but not this season. And this season is Andruw’s walk year. And Chipper’s not getting any younger. Nor is Smoltz. Hudson may never pitch better for a full season.

Would you fans (Robert) who complain that the Braves have underachieved under Cox be happy if they finally won the WS this year — even if it meant mortgaging part of the future?

OK, some folks will never be satisfied. But I digress.

This is a better deal for the Braves than some that were rumored for several reasons.

1) Harrison may be good, but JoJo looks better, and he’s already shown he can pitch at the big league level. Harrison might not even get an audition until Sept. 2008.

2) Elvis is a teenager who’s been inconsistent with the bat and has been thrown out half the times he’s tried to steal. He may develop into a decent ballplayer. Or he may be Tony Pena Jr. — flashy glove, no power, terrible eye at the plate. I take Yunel over him any day of the week, both now and as a future major leaguer.

3) Tex is signed for one more year. He immediately fills the need for a #4 or #5 hitter next year. The Braves can worry about pitching in the off-season, rather than replacing Andruw’s bat.

Any questions?

By Bob, Journalist

July 27, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Shaun Payne, questionable use and misuse of statistics are permitted passionate and sincere veterans but irresponsible rookie statements like if Tex can increase the chances of the Braves getting to the playoffs, it’s worth the dollar difference are not allowed!

That is, unless you know how much the dollar difference is … and even then, were it me, I think I would have set some minimum percentage chance increase … of course, it sounded real good.

By BravesfanfromBama

July 27, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

Just saw on mlbrumors.com that FoxSports’ Ken Rosenthal is saying the Braves have offred Salty, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison in exchange for Tex only, getting no pitchers from the Rangers.

By Paladin

July 27, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Scribe Grandma, what big teeth you have. You know what makes me suspicious? No transitions. But, I’ve been wrong—sometime, I’m sure.

By NCBravesFan

July 27, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Scribe Well said and thoughtful. The Tex trade makes a lot of sense. Salty at 1B for the rest of the year is a recipe for third place (not to mention, really unfair to Salty).

By KC

July 27, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

tkg: “If Harrison is involved in the trade with Salty and Elvis I would think a relief pitcher would be coming back to Atlanta.”

Exactly.

We’re going to give up all 3 of those guys, and can’t even get them to throw in a 36 year old lefty reliever???

I doubt it.

By Thrillhouse44

July 27, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

I think Teixeira’s name is even harder to spell than Saltalamacchia.

By Andy

July 27, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

woogidy, i don’t know why you insult bonds on BOB’s AJC blog, because m sure he’s checking daily to see what Braves fans think of him…

By Ed

July 27, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

At last we are out of the San Francisco circus. Now, mayce we can focus on trying to win a game rather than trying to prevent a Bonds homerun.

By LT

July 27, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Wow,

Only Tex for Salty, Harrison, and Andrus? Not even Tex and some player to be named later for these guys? That’s steep.

However, can the Braves afford next year to have neither an Andruw or Tex in the line up? I see this deal as insurance next year if AJ walks. Plus it greatly increases the chances of making the post season this year.

If the Braves don’t see Salty playing first, then he’s easily tradeable. Second, Escobar is proving he is ready right now to play short, so moving Andrus doesn’t seem to hurt that much. That leaves dealing a solid pitching prospect as well. That hurts but I don’t see this as selling the future in one deal.

Also, I still don’t see why this is renting a player? Tex played his collegiate career in ATL, so he obviously likes the city. Also, the payroll will be increased in his free agent year with subtraction of most likely AJ and Hamps salaries at the least.

On top of all that Texeria already is what you hope Salty and Andrus will be. As Everett would say “He’s Bona Fide!”

By Jonny B Good

July 27, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Come on guys, you know that rumor was started by a rep from within the Texas organization in order to get the other teams to up their ante. Which, by the looks of it, it worked with Anaheim. We all know that JS is not dumb enough to part with all 3 of those prospects unless a pitcher was coming back. So give it a rest would ya.

By TennesseePaul

July 27, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

sscribe: Nice post. I think though that Andruw should be lower in the order than 5th. But, I think where ever he goes, this is a problem I don’t mind having.
1) Kelly
2) Renteria
3) Chipper
4) Teixeira
5) McCann
6) Francoeur
7) Andruw
8) Harris/Diaz
Mix it up and it still looks good. Just a solid frickin line up. Put Gange in the back of the pen… total and absolute domination. Without Gange… domination, but not so absolute.

If it is 3 for 1, then it is a matter of the Rangers pulling the trigger, not the Braves. The Rangers are idiots though so they might just be dear in the headlights right now. So stunned by the offer they take the worst one on the table and we get nothing. Who knows. But I can’t imagine this is a matter of JS not pulling the trigger. I’d bet that if this deal doesn’t work, it’s because of the Rangers.

By BamaBrave

July 27, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Of course getting swept is a possibility, Ron… Getting hit by a meteor is a possibility too. I am going to blame some of this offensive funk on the trade buzz, if you don’t mind. So there!!!

By tiger23

July 27, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

How close is this Teixeira deal to getting done? Will we see Tex in a braves uni during the series with the diamondbacks?

By Andy

July 27, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

well that’s interestring BravesfanfromBama because i just went to www.mlbrumors.com, and all i saw were some links and a picture of a golfball…

By Jeff R

July 27, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

An all around dumb deal, if the Braves give up Harrison and Salty for Texeria. Remember the Wainwright deal? Wainwright played a key role in helping the Cards win the Championship last year and is the best starter the Cards have going this season. First basemen don’t win championships. Pitching and defense (and timely hitting) wins. If the Braves want to shop Salty for a young, talented pitcher, fine. Otherwise, keep Harrison and Salty.

Andruw. We’ll see where he ends up offensively this season. His worst ever start offensively should be a big red flag to management. And this in a year where Andruw lost weight and worked himself into shape. The Braves need a centerfielder who plays solid defense, has some offensive capability (perhaps, some speed)and is years younger and cheaper than Andruw.

By @$$Hole

July 27, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Oh I just can’t wait to hear all the cryin’ you fantasy GM’s do after the trade deadline has come and gone—and Julio Franco is still the Braves everyday first baseman, and “Tex” is playing for the Angels!

By Jonny B Good

July 27, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

BravesfanfromBama Did you just log in and not bother to read the blog? That was reported a while ago.

By Lew

July 27, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

Ah, The joys of reading the overnight overload in the morning. Just like waking up in Central Florida to the smell of burning swamps. Nothing like the inhalation of smoke from muck fires to get that constitution revving!!!! Many of y’all really need to get a grip. Chip Caray is NOT the reason for the Braves lack of consistency. DOB’s 4 am post said much. I agree with most of it, if not all. FlBravesGirl-Re:The Wurlitzer. The Wurlitzer Selection Committee ( and we know who they are, right?) can nominate anyone for a prize in ANY category and even make up a category if none exists. If the Esteemed Journalist Jimmy Smith wants someone to be considered, it shall be done-he is a Selection Committee member. Since my artwork is usually the Prize, I can nominate and choose anyone as a winner, too. If enough people on the blog wish to nominate someone, it shall be considered as well. SoulMan-There is no such thing as a loser Dawg. You need to get that straight. UGABrave-Dude, if you are going to use UGA in your tag, at least attempt to make a pretense at a background in English composition and spelling. You’re embarrassing the other alums, here. Just because Chip Caray knocks a UGA education, doesn’t make us all illiterate. Show some Dawg pride, Dude.

By @$$Hole

July 27, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

Paladin-isn’t it about time for you to go drop a few tu2ds and then hit the sack, you nosy old coot!

By JasonInMaine

July 27, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

TennPaul,

I agree 100% with the lineup you posted!

Regards,

Jasobn

By Andy

July 27, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

i have a feeling the Bravos are close…all this new news and rumors the past two days…i think somethings gonna happen today

By Ron

July 27, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

KC I see what you are saying about we dont know what our payroll will be by 2009!!! But I dont think we will resign him!!! All the other teams will offer the money, AND I THINK he will take the most money on the table, NO DISCOUNT whatsoever, probably not even 2-3 million discount!!! BravesFanInRockies If I knew we would win the World Series with Tex this year or NEXT year, then Yes I would do the trade and would not care about mortgaging the Future!!! I would rather trade Salty for a Young Starter, but that may never happen, and Tex is a real good player!!! I would trade Salty, Harrison, and Lillibridge and Thorman, and a reliever for Tex and Gagne!!! But NO WAY I would trade Elvis!!! Elvis is insurance JUST in case Escobar FLOPS in the Majors!!! Lillibridge is ALREADY 23 or 24 so we really cant say he is insurance for Escobar!!! Elvis would be the difference maker!!! MAYBE I am overvaluing Elvis, but MAYBE Im not!!!

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

July 27, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Here is what could happen. The Braves pull off the deal with the Rangers and get a reliever in the deal. I think the Rangers will include the reliever but are holding off hoping against hope that somebody will offer them a better deal, which won’t happen. The Braves can then make a package of Davies and Thorman or Esquivel or lower level prospect with a high ceiling to the Twins for Silva.

By Rick Roberts

July 27, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Just saw Braves are offerring 3:1 for Texeira. To me, that is too much for a guy who may only play one more year for Atlanta. Besides, as long as Andrew is in the lineup, not even Babe Ruth would help—the Braves cannot win with AJ in there. Have you noticed his defense? Several/many times he has ‘loafed’ to balls he could have caught or cut off. Looks like he is trying to play badly. It also affects the team chemistry. Tell me that other players aren’t upset with him. As far as RBI’s go, that is a personal stat—how many times has he either struck out or popped up trying to hit a HR when all we needed was a hit to keep a rally going? His only hits to RF come when he is late on a fastball! We appreciate JS trying to make deals to put the Braves in the playoffs, but let’s just hold off now and accept the fact that we’ll have to ‘wait until next year!’ Can always sign a free agent or make a trade in the off season. Bring up some more younger guys in September and let them play—i.e. Brandon Jones.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Salty,

What’s so confusing?

Oh, let me rephrase that because pitching prospects don’t really apply. For every Brad Komminsk there are 20-30 top position player prospects that become at least pretty good major leaguers.

If a player hits at every level and scouts love him, odds are he can hit in the big leagues.

Bob, Journalist,

Of course, the dollar difference does matter. But it’s worth taking on some extra payroll if it greatly increases the team’s odds to reach the playoffs. I didn’t get what you were saying. Maybe you can clarify.

By Paladin

July 27, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

Mr. XXXhole

seven days a week it seams. I was just interested to know if DOB really needs all

I was just trying to appeal to your sense of decency and fair play. These qualities fell through your “seams”, it would “seem”.

No matter what name you post under, you can not spell worth a (that substance that comes out through your “name”).

By rammerjammer

July 27, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

DOB, excellent paint-peeler at 4 a.m.

I concur with those who say a) the Rangers are holding out for a still-better offer, and b) I’d do the 3-for-1 in a heartbeat.

Prospects are suspects…maybe they pan out, and maybe they don’t. Teixeira is here-and-now, and that’s what I’m interested in…winning here and NOW.

Good luck JS.

By JMar

July 27, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Hey Coach, While I would never in a million years make the trade suggested by Rosenthal, you can’t fairly compare the McGriff deal to what would be market value for Tex. With McGriff, the Padres were in one of the biggest salary dumps of all time. They gave him away for next to nothing. They gave Sheffield away for next to nothing (or so everyone thought at the time, though they did get Hoffman in that deal). They gave away Tony Fernandez. Texas is not in the dire straits San Diego was.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

Jeff R,

If it’s all about pitching, defense and timely hitting, why not trade a hitter for a better hitter?

All you people who say trading Salty would be the worst thing ever: what do the Braves do with him, then? Do they just let him rot on the bench? Do they send him back to the minors where he has nothing left to prove?

He’s not helping the Braves as much as Tex would right now. And he certainly wouldn’t help them in the minors.

By Efrim

July 27, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Lew, KC, other optimists….

So can you evaluate the Braves performance the last 14 games?

In which we are 7-7 and have lost two games in the division. We are now 5 back in the loss column from the Mets.

We have upcoming series against the D’Backs, Astros and Rockies before two crucial series with the Mets and Phillies.

Can we stop with the Tex talk and look at the problem at hand. The Braves have been inconsistent against the worst teams in the NL for two and a half weeks.

By Braveskick

July 27, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

trade Salty and Thorman for Mark Teixeira.

By John Bama

July 27, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Is everyone here tired yet of repeating the same info over and over and over….let it rest. What happens will happen. I doubt that Tex ends up in Atl but I do believe there will be a deal for a solid upgrade in the bullpen.

By Paladin

July 27, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

I am going in and make a “stinky”. (Savannah Guy When you take your daily tally, you can count that as a double, if you wish.)

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul,

Andrus is holding his own against players 2, 3 and 4 years older. Yes, he’s still very young and he still a long way away but I would take my chances with him.

Andrus’s stats look similar to Jose Reyes at similar points in their pro careers. And scouts and insiders (even non-Brave ones) seem to like Andrus a lot. Please, don’t think I’m comparing him to Reyes at this point by any means. I’m just saying you have to give players that are hanging in there with older players a little leniency with the stats.

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

im with you bama, we all need to let it go, that way whatever happens will be good news. And we could be pretty sure it was the best JS could do. Enjoy our braves and the transactions they do.

By Lew

July 27, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Matt Harrison has been mentioned in this Texiera trade scenario. He has received a lot of disrespect from some on this blog, with Efrim (no Dude, I’m not going off on you today) claiming he will be no better than a #4-5 starter. I disputed him on this point, though I doubt I changed his mind, or the minds of those who claim the Braves can’t develop pitchers (completely uninformed opinion, to my way of thinking, but WTF, right?). Maybe a brief examination of Harrison and his minor league career would be appropriate, here. Harrison is a 22 year old LHP and Lefties are a desireable commodity in their own right, correct? His minor league totals (since age 17 mind you) are a 3.45 ERA in 97 games, he’s given up 542 hits in 547 IP with a 1.20 WHIP. He has struck out 392 hitters and walked only 116- That’s a K to BB ratio of 3-1, y’all, which is superior. He has only given up 40HR in 547 IP. Now what this all amounts to is we have a very young LHP with lots of minor league experience at said young age. And, wonder of wonders, he is a young LHP with CONTROL and an excellent K to BB ratio!!!!! That is certainly NOT the norm for young LHP. He strikes out way more than he walks, allows very few runners per IP and has had a remarkably consistent ERA, which is also relatively low, especially for a young LHP. I’m really not so sure where the lack of love for this guy’s potential is, and I’m mystified why so many think letting him go is such a smart move, when we will need good pitching, young pitching and CHEAP pitching in the coming next few years.

By GeorgetownKid

July 27, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Mr. O’Brien (and whomever else),

The $10-$20 million extra dollars that might be allocated for payroll - where does that money come from?

Would Liberty have to subsidize the Braves by using money generated outside the franchise, or is that money available within the Braves internal budget?

Perhaps Liberty would allow more profits to be reinvested by accepting a smaller profit margin from the Braves operations. This would be very plausible, as the Braves represent a very small fraction of Liberty’s total business.

But, if in order to increase payroll, Liberty has to subsidize the team with money earned from another source, I do not believe this is realistic.

Wealthy private owners like Marc Cuban in the NBA frequently accept financial losses from their teams which they can cover with their own personal wealth. Such teams can spend an almost limitless amount on payroll, as money is no obstacle. However, when corporations own teams, they are not willing to accept losses, which they would then have to subsidize.

The question is, can the Braves generate the extra money themselves (perhaps by reinvesting profits).

By N8

July 27, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Thrillhouse44

“Also, how has a JS trade proposal become so public? I don’t think it’s a very believable report.”

Just because DOB says JS and the Braves run a tight ship, that rarely has “leaks” of information regarding moves and what not, doesn’t mean that Texas didn’t flat out tell somebody what was offered.

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Im starting to get scared, braves need to tie the mets in the stands before we go play against them, because if history does not repeats itself and we go play them 3 or 4 games behind and we get sweep or loose 4 out of 6, that will put us some 6 or 7 games back, that will be a catastrophe.

By Colin

July 27, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Max Ramirez who was included in the Wickman trade might be on his way to Texas for Lofton so see JS knew he wasent going to be worth to much so he got Wickman basically for free.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

Well, 54-49 on the season. Fourteen games is not a lot. They are in the top seven in both runs scored and allowed. They are still very much in the thick of the wild card race. If they make any kind of improvements, we have to like their chances.

By the way, the team with the best record in baseball recently lost 5 of 11 against Kansas City, Toronto and the White Sox. It’s baseball. Sometimes good teams lose to worse teams. This isn’t college football where a team jumps in the polls if they beat a higher ranked team.

By Lew

July 27, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Efrim-Exactly what would you have us say? What exactly is your point? Dodes our optimism harm the Braves? Does our optimism make them more prone to lose? Should we advocate just giving up-would that make you feel any better and if so, why? Dude-I think we’re all very much aware of the state of the Braves play, not only recently, but throuhgout the entire season. Believe me , or not, as you will, but I have no illiusions, whatsoever about the state of their play. Just because I refuse to blog during the game (I think many who do end up looking like complete and utter idiots, who live entirely in the moment) doesn’t mean I don’t yell, scream and cuss over what goes on. Make no mistake, either, I watch EVERY Braves’ game of EVERY season. AS a matter of fact, I have watched over 180 games so far this season, utilizing the Extra Innings package to the max. I’ve also seen most of the Mets’ game (hear that NO Brain Zone?). I just see no sense in concedeing (Like Coach and Others) that the season has come to an end with 60 games left to play. I don’t see the Mets as being good enough to run away with the division and now the Phillies have lost Utley, putting a major crimp in their chances (no pitching except Hamels). There’s plenty of time left and we’re not that far back. Yes, I’d like to see some changes and yes, I have questions about some of BC’s moves. However, I don’t run the team, I don’t make the front office moves and I don’t hit or pitch. I’m afraid you give my opinions way to much credit. They will not influenence the season’s outcome, nor will your’s, Coach’s, nor anyone elses opinions on this blog. Clary things for you?

By Sonny

July 27, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

That you’re even talking about giving $16-$18 mil to a career 265 hitter coming off a year where he had THE WORST AVG in the majors, says something for the current state of pro sports. DOB…you know the guy is an undisciplined inconsistent hitter, always has been, always will be. The magical “offensive awakening” everyone has been waiting for his entire career will never happen. As for his defense…heck I saw Ryan Langerhans make just as many spectacular plays when he was here for about $300,000 a year. YOU’RE A STARTER IN THE MAJORS…you should provide excellent defense! Anyone else with Andruw’s numbers would be making around $4 mil a year…so the Braves should give him another $12 mil just for defensive skills on the decline??? It’s sad, really…

By TennesseePaul

July 27, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

GeorgeTownKid: In answer to your question…
Privately, I’ve heard at least $10 mill and perhaps $20 mill will be added to the payroll. But I just don’t know yet if that’s true.
I read that as, “no official word on the matter”.

I’d suspect no official word will be released on the matter for 1 major reason, and possibly 2 major reasons. The sure 1 is Andruw Jones. The 2nd would be Mark Teixeira. No matter the amount the Braves have to spend, they aren’t going to say anything about it. They aren’t going to confirm the ballpark figures. They aren’t going to describe where the money comes from. They aren’t going to say anything other than what they’ve already said. That is: Payroll will not be going down, we might be able to squeeze a little more out of it.
That’s it. The reason??? Tell Borass you have 200 million to spend, how much do you think Andruw is going to cost then? It isn’t JS’s style to begin with, but there is no way he is going to tip his hand on the cash level with pending Borass negotiations. Boras would make it that much more unpleasant. And I’m with him. I’d rather not know exact details. I’d rather JS just take the money he can spend and spend it wisely. This is what he usually does anyway, so I should remained happy on this point at least.

By ESPN 6

July 27, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

ESPN(Enhanced Sports Proliferation Network), the leader in sports assimilation, is announcing that we have traded Tony Gwynn to the Texas Rangers for Mark Teixeira. Teixeira will play 1st for the company softball team. The company is expected to save thousands in beer and wings when Teixeira replaces Tony Gwynn on the roster.

By jounalist jimmy smith

July 27, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

well, letwan tried to talk pies and no one wanted to talk pies. this blog is in a rut. jimmy smith reminds all of the national security threat involving cheese. still at code orange. let’s hope it does not go gouda. block cheese with wires around the block cheese makes a nice cheese bomb. what is this country coming to when cheese becomes a cheese bomb? and what will dob do now on the road? can’t fly with dob’s own cheese. and carolina lady has a toothache! oh, the humanity! baby seal dabbles in dentistry and has been dispatched to the carolina coast for consultation. please feed baby seal lots of fish as the trip is tiring. now, hoss pulls hoss from the lineup and is still called “hoss”? go figure. and barry pulls barry from the lineup and is called something less pleasant. journalist thanks lew for the wurlitzer consideration for young, mark davis. must read some more of mark davis’ work to be sure. perhaps dob will take a cue from mark davis, “Bobby walked across the hillside, diamond-dewy in the morning sun. Chino Cadahia bumped behind him like a shadow. He sniffed the air, filled with the cries of a sore-groined Hoss. He snuffled his little nose, too.”

By Colin

July 27, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

With Texas probably gettin Ramirez do you think they will still trade for Salty?

By Will

July 27, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Sweep,swept,split,split against some of the worst teams in the NL. That has mediocrity written all over it. I just hope if this Tex trade happens that it is not all for nothing. Big surprise Chipper is tweaked again, Joe and Chip kept talking about how great it is he is healthy two nights ago so this comes as no surprise.

By crimedogrules

July 27, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Pull the trigger — the NL is easy to win if we start to hit consistently. We could have swept this series with better hitting the last two days.

I agree with the anti-Chip talk. I wanted to punch him in the mouth the night that Wickman blew it for Hudson. Chip was so excited “Feliz Navidad!!!” How I hate him — thank god TBS won’t be showing more Braves games next year. I never thought I would say that. F you Chip you bias against the Braves punk.

By Double Deuce

July 27, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

Just logged on and saw all the rumors floating around. Two things jump right out at you.

1. Why hasn’t Texas done this deal already? Two prospects and Salty is overpaying and then some, and doesn’t sound like a JS deal to me.

2. When was the last time a JS deal was so public?

I think the real deal hasn’t been made public yet and I’d be shocked if JS doesn’t get a substantial return for Salty. He may be unproven but it’s not hard to see his value.

By ESPN 6

July 27, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Shaun, Stop with the incessant BS about comparing people in their minor league careers and thinking that it will translate into a productive ML career. Sometimes, yes, but more times than not, no. Your ratio of 20 to 30 sucesses for every Brad Komminsk, is backwards. More people fail than succeed, after al there are only so many slots for MLers and hordes of wannabes.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

July 27, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

Shaun, this is a common occurrence with the Braves. When they are given an opportunity to make a move they fall flat on their face. Lets not forget that last season the Braves had a chance in August to get back in the thick of things and they stunk up the joint by getting swept (at home ) by the Pirates and losing two of three to a lowly Giants team. I know you think this offense is fine, but its not. They need a power bat in the lineup since its painfully obvious that Andruw isn’t going to turn it around.

By JohnGTFan

July 27, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

Who gives a damn about Andruw. Make the trade for Tex!! This should be simple. He’s awesome, young, and would do his part to stay in ATL. He wants to come here! Besides, resigning Andruw shouldn’t even be a thought in this process. He and Boras may ask for 20mil a year…but they’ll be lucky to get 12 - 15 mil a year after this season. Besides, if ATL is going to pay someone over 10mil a year, I say find someone who can hit 30+home runs with a 280 or better average, something Andruw CANNOT do!

By Efrim

July 27, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

Lew,

I said Harrison is a #3. He seems to be a potential innings eater because of his 6’5” frame and command. He doesn’t have ace stuff. I am sorry, but he doesn’t. He has givien up a hit per inning basically for his whole minor league career.

As far as my post about you being an optimist, I want everyone to understand that we still haven’t played well and the Mets are still 5 games up in the loss. Lets get that taken care of before we blast the Mets about how awfula team they are. I also posted that piece to get people off the Texiera trade talk.

By Braveheart

July 27, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

The Braves are 48-21 when they give up less than 6 runs in a game. The Braves are 6-28 when they give up six or more runs. It is awfully hard to win when you give up that many runs in a game. Don’t think Tex is going to make this a 6 run a game kind of team or a 1000 runs a season kind of team either.

In the 30 combined starts of Davies, Redman, JoJo, Cormier, and Larew, the Braves have given up less than 6 runs only 10 times, for a record of 7-3 in those games. In the games of those starters, the Braves have given up 6 or more runs 20 times, for a record of 2-18.

In the 73 combined starts of SMoltz, Hudson, James, and Buddy, the Braves have given up 6 runs or less 59 times, with a record of 41-18 in those games. In the 14 games where they have given up 6 or more runs in the starts of those starters, the Braves are 4-10.

ALSO, the Braves are 45-13 when giving up less than 5 runs in a game. The Braves are 9-36 when giving up 5 or more runs a game.

I would not waste any prospects or money for 15 months of Tex. I would go find an innings eating mediocre pitcher who has an ERA around 4.50.

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

Lew i dont see the muts been a team that can run away, they have not been consistent at any point in the year, they started better than they have done lately and i dont think they are gonna play better, i think at best they will play around .530 baseball mayba a little more. So the problem is not them. We are our own enemy, braves need to start playing better, just a little bit, not a whole more, i would say not even better, just consistenly do what they are capable of doing and we will pass the mets and win division. As i have said before, we are so close and so far away of breezing away from everyone on this division. They could easily win 12 out of 14 the way SP is performing, hope offense backs them up.

By don

July 27, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this

colin’s reasoning about Max Ramirex is classic. He obviously has not seen Ramirez play.

Cleveland is hoping to win the division or get a wildcard. In such cases teams overpay (just look at what the Braves are willing to do to rent a first baseman for a season and two months)to get a veteran to pull them through.

Ramirez for Lofton is highly loaded in favor of Texas. However, it could be the piece Cleveland needs tro win this year so they will doit. Now, the Braves are another story. They will abort thye future ans still not win.

By BravesFanInRockies

July 27, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Texas just traded Kenny Lofton to Cleveland for Max Ramirez, the catching prospect the Braves swapped for Wickman.

This may have nothing to do with Tex and Salty, because Baseball Prospectus says:

“Ramirez doesn’t have a player card up yet, but if he did you’d see some fairly impressive raw totals; he’s a lifetime .303/.401/.481 hitter in the minor leagues. The problem is with the way that Ramirez has been putting up those numbers. A large part of his value comes from his high walk rate, but he hasn’t been young for his levels and he strikes out a lot, which suggests that a lot of those walks result from exploiting weak A-Ball pitching, rather than a core competency for pitch recognition.

“The other issue is that Ramirez may not really be a catcher. He spent as much time at DH last year as he did behind the plate, and his defense was not very good when he played…”

Ramirez is still in A-ball, so he’s not a big leaguer for maybe two more seasons. And when he arrives, is he just another Matthew LeCroix-type, a DH who occasionally catches and plays first?

Salty’s obviously still the better and more immediate option for the Rangers.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

Sonny,

Let’s see, Andruw is a .263 AVG/ .343 OBP/ .500 SLG career hitter. Average isn’t everything. Those last two numbers are more important. I’m sure worse hitters have received larger contracts.

Sure, he’s having a bad year, and maybe he is finished. But $16-18 million could be a bargain for some teams.

I guess this goes back to everyone expecting Andruw to be an elite hitter when he never really showed that he had that potential. Not sure where those expectations came from.

I guess from the World Series homers in ‘96. But what did that really show us besides the fact he has good power? And he has shown good power throughout his career.

What does the situation say about the current state of pro sports?

By Baron

July 27, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

Last night’s game left me with clawed out eyeballs. That’s the kind of game that makes you think, “No, this team is not good enough to make the playoffs. This team doesn’t deserve to make the playoffs. Might as well pack it up and move over to the SEC blogs.”

And yet… and yet… Lincecum threw an absolute gem. Not much you could really do about it- and we did hang two runs on him. Vizciano or whoever hit that ridiculous seeing eye bouncer that caught Thorman and Carlyle between the bars- probably opened the door to three runs. Barroid robbed us of two doubles. Durham made that great play on Thorman’s crazy hopper. The ump’s strike zone got inexplicable wide against the Braves in the last two innings- the late AB Kelly had was really galling. I’m surprised Bobby held it together.

All said, lady luck pretty much pimp slapped us. It happens. Clearly Texiera would push us over a huge hump. But if we don’t get him, well, it ain’t the end of the world. I’m going on baseball vacation for the weekend. Go catch the Simpson’s movie, maybe see a punk rock band at the local hole in the wall. Hopefully Monday morning will dawn with good news.

Side note, it seems Bobby has found a great way to improve the bench from within. How about those pinch hitters last night: Chipper and Renty back to back! Talk about a high powered bench! Alls you gotta do is start Woodward and Escobar and, voila, the best bench bats in the league!

By Will

July 27, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

Chip still loves the Cubs that is his main problem. He finds a way to talk about the Cubs on Braves telecasts as much as freaking possible.

By Ron

July 27, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

BamaBrave Who you gonna blame in September when you figure out this is a.500 ballclub? I am not blaming nobody for all the losses, we have had 2 bad injuries to pitchers!!! I blame Cox for some of the losses this year, which by the end of the year, might cost us a Wild Card!!! Yeah thats a great way of thinking, thinking that the reason we are not doing good right now is because of trade buzz? Thats the BEST thing I have heard on this blog yet!!!

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this

Robert i dont think we need a power bat, we just need someone that can hit the ball and drive in edgar and chipper, this team has enough power to do lots of damage and all they do is think about the HR, i prefer some other guy lile chipper that could hit 30 HR and around .300. No need to get a superslugger as we are i think 5th in HR in the NL. And that is without a 1b that can hit HR, im pretty sure that teams ahead of us have a 1b that is hitting HR, and a 3b with a lot more ABs than chipper.

By AthensBrave

July 27, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Lew, Good points….I don’t understand why some supposed Braves fans get on this blog and bi@tch all day.

I have my fair share of complaints as well, but constantly posting the same criticisms does nothing but take up space.

Every time we lose, Efrim and Coach get on here and tell us all, “told you so..they are so mediocre” They’re almost worse than No Chop and company.

The fact is that we are still only 4 game out w/ 60 to play. If your not cheering for the Braves to do well, then get off the blog and go elsewhere…

If

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

ESPN 6,

Okay, then why do a majority of Baseball America’s top hitting prospects become at least okay major leaguers?

If a prospect hits well at every minor league level, his chances of completely failing in the majors is pretty slim.

I didn’t say all good minor leaguers will become good major leaguers or that this applies to pitchers, but it applies to a vast majority of good minor league hitters who have hit well at every level.

Robert (Justice Is The Best),

Yeah, those years when they came from 9-1/2 back or 11 back to win the division, they certainly fell flat on their faces, didn’t they?

And apparently you forget the Braves won the division all those years before last season. Yeah, they really flopped in those years, didn’t they?

Oh, I guess one year of flopping is considered “common.”

By Greg in TN

July 27, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Afternoon friends and neighbors,

It’s clear to me that we’ve been consistantly inconsistant since game number eight of the 2007 season, when we sat atop the NL East with a 7-1 record. I have faith in JS and I think he’s going to improve the team. Will Tex be the magic pill to help cure the ills of the team right now? I don’t know that he will unless we either get relief help from Texas along with Tex, or we go somewhere else and get a lefty from the pen.

I would have preferred to have more than a split from San Francisco, however not seeing Mr. Asterisk homer does help. No one will use this as an excuse, but I could see where the circus atmosphere in San Francisco this week could’ve certainly been on some level a distraction.

By GeorgetownKid

July 27, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul

I think your rationale is completely correct. Disclosing the details of one’s internal finances does not exactly augment one’s negotiating power.

I just hope that we aren’t relying on Liberty to give us some of “their” money. But rather, I hope it is the case that Time Warner was mandating a large profit margin from the Braves. If that was indeed the case, then it is very realistic to expect Liberty to relax such mandates and to reinvest a larger portion of team profits.

Option B would be to petition Marc Cuban or Dan Snyder (Redskins) to buy us up and pump us full of their dough. But I won’t hold my breath on that one.

By Efrim

July 27, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

AthensBrave,

Dude, I still think this team is good. If they get Tex, they should make the playoffs. I HATE when DOB and Lew knock the Mets play and say they aren’t impressed by them. Whether they win the division by 1 game or 10, it doesn’t matter. Whether they are a lot better than us or a little, it doesn’t matter, all that matters is us winning the division. And right now we are 5 back in the loss column.

By Will

July 27, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

The Braves are a mediocre baseball team, anybody who says that is just being a realist. I watch nearly every Braves game and night after night i see a mediocre baseball team on the field. I am not even trying to be negative, its just one night they hit and dont pitch, the next night they pitch and dont hit and then two nights later they will pitch and hit, but then the bullpen will screw up. That is mediocre baseball.

By Treeman

July 27, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Atlanta 66, I’m an old fart too and I totally agree with you that I don’t remember Aaron as a clutch hitter. It’s similar to Andruw, we dreaded it when Hank came to the plate with runners on. I say we because that’s what I remember my uncles and older neighbors saying too. I think sometimes stats don’t tell the whole story. I also agree with you about Bowa, I think “old timers” always say nice things about other “old timers”.

By crimedogrules

July 27, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

4 games out and 9 more against the Mets. We can easily win this division. Mets suck and are just one more public clubhouse fight away from free falling. SD faling, Phillies will start to fade a little with the Utley injury.

We need to win this series this weekend. We have a winning record against every NL playoff contending team right now. Let’s keep that alive against the DBacks.

AJ start hitting, please. We need you.

By Greg in TN

July 27, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

I always seem to click post, THEN remember something else…

About payroll, I came into the season thinking Liberty raising the payroll $8 - $10 million would be best case scenario, so I am happy to hear rumblings that it may be more, but Liberty and the front office will not come right out and say, hey, we’re raising payroll for next year XXX. At least not right now and certainly not with any fanfare or press conferences.

My stance has not changed from what I began saying earlier in the year. The $80 million payroll has certainly hurt, but I don’t think it’s hurt nearly as much as JS having the flexibility at times like now to go out and make a trade for help. He’s got that now. He still will NOT overpay for anyone, regardless of whether it’s in a trade or if it’s a free agent signing.

It is in Texas’ best interest to wait until 15 minutes before the trade deadline, so the clamoring for JS to make a trade NOW is totally unrealistic. The Rangers have the cards right now and the deal will be done when they are ready to do it. Until then, all JS and every other GM in baseball can do is wait them out and keep the lines of communication open with other teams for a plan B, C, D, E and/or F.

Lew, in regards to your Wurlitzer Selection Committee post, there are a lot of great denizens that are certainly worthy of inclusion on the committee, if ssiscribe isn’t one, I feel like he should certainly get consideration.

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Andrew is the only active player that has less than 31 years and that has more than 1600 hits, i guess he is not that bad, but this year he has been awful, i heard yesterday in fsn, that is was all because he was pressing too much, that it is what is been said around baseball, so it looks like his price is not down at all.

(http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/H_career.shtml)

By AthensBrave

July 27, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

I could care less that we are 5 back in the loss column.

The only # I care about is when you click ‘standings’ on any web-site…it says 4 games back.

Thats the only number that matters

By Overlord

July 27, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Efrim i think you said exactly what i just posted before, who cares about the mets, they are not doing a magnificent job, they are just playing above avg baseball, braves should just focus on winning and we can easily beat this guys.

By Shaun

July 27, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Treeman,

You know I had to look.

Aaron hit .321 AVG/.428 OBP/ .579 SLG with RISP.

By Bob, Journalist

July 27, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I have little problem with Of course, the dollar difference does matter. But it’s worth taking on some extra payroll if it greatly increases the team’s odds to reach the playoffs … why didn’t you say that the first time?

Belaboring what I believe to be the obvious, … the valuation of most trades is complex and of little interest to fans but methinks the impact on payroll is of little consequence other than any impact it might have on future operational flexibility.

The bottom line is exactly that … the bottom line. Methinks no trade should ever be made unless both sides feel that making the trade enhances the value of the entities they represent.

The team’s chances of making the playoffs has a value … and I agree that the impact of the marginal change is one of many things of value that is affected which must be entered into decision making equation.

Bobblehead doll sales is another …

As a fan, I really don’t know that much about Tex … but I’m relatively confident that whatever is done will meet an expected present value test … I just wish it were Tuesday and the deed had been done.